Major Money Makes Women’s Menu Complete

An announcement of a purse increase was a delectable bit of news for participants in the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club. Photo: Darren Carroll, PGA of America

BETHESDA, MARYLAND | When LPGA competitors gathered inside a tony ballroom at historic Congressional Country Club sometime around noon on Tuesday, arranging assorted chicken, sea bass and sushi on their plates, they were competing for $4.5 million at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. In women’s golf, that’s known as a good haul.

By the time they rose from their chairs, their plates were even more full.  The tournament purse had doubled, to $9 million, the winner’s share jumping from $675,000 to $1.35 million. How’s that for a power lunch?

There was a palpable buzz on the grounds at Congressional, much like recess on the last day of school. There was excitement. Giddiness. Joy. Money has been hovering over golf like a cloud of late, taking nearly all the air from the room. A handful of male professionals bolting for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf ...