Tournament Schedule Planners for 2026, Hear My Heartfelt Request as the Season Concludes
In a significant shift for women's golf, the final two Major championships of the year have received undivided attention, proving that a clean schedule can make a difference. The KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the AIG Women's Open, held at Royal Porthcawl, have been met with widespread acclaim and record-breaking audience numbers.
The KPMG Women's PGA Championship, with a purse of $12 million, matched the largest purse in women's golf alongside the US Women's Open. Miyu Yamashita clinched the victory, marking a memorable moment for the sport. The event saw an increase of 93% in hours watched and a 144% rise in YouTube views, demonstrating the growing interest in women's golf.
The AIG Women's Open, the largest women's sporting event ever in Wales, was another resounding success. The tournament provided one of the most exciting finishes to a Major, with Grace Kim's chip-in to force a playoff and subsequent win. Over 47,000 spectators attended the event, and the first two rounds attracted the highest-ever TV audience on Sky Sports.
The success of these Major championships is a hopeful sign for the future of women's golf. For too long, women's Majors have been overshadowed by men's events due to scheduling conflicts and organisational priorities. Key factors include the clashing of women's Majors with men's signature tournaments, broadcasters prioritising men's events, a lack of coordination between the PGA Tour and the LPGA, and the economic reality of men's golf attracting a larger global audience.
However, the final two Majors of the year did not clash with men's signature events, providing a glimpse of what's possible when women's golf is given a standalone spotlight. Hall of Famer and three-time Solheim Cup Captain Juli Inkster expressed her frustration about scheduling decisions affecting women's Majors in the past, but the recent successes offer a promising outlook for the future.
The momentum from these successful Majors is hoped to carry into next year's season, as the women's game continues its journey towards earning the consistent, standalone spotlight it has earned. The consecutive events at Pinehurst No 2 in 2014, where the USGA held the US Open and US Women's Open in consecutive weeks, serve as a reminder of the impact such scheduling can have on raising the profile of women's golf. While systemic change may be slow, the recent successes offer a beacon of hope for the future of women's golf.
Charley Hull made a strong challenge in the final day of the AIG Women's Open, demonstrating the talent and competitiveness of the women's game. As the sport continues to grow and gain recognition, it's clear that women's Majors deserve their moment in the spotlight.
Golf clubs were prominently featured in the recently concluded KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the AIG Women's Open, as these sports events witnessed impressive performances and record-breaking audience numbers. The success of these Major championships marks a significant shift in the recognition and promotion of women's golf, a change that is crucial for the sport's continued growth.
