8 hours ago
LPGA raises prize money to $18.5 million for Womens's PGA Championship in Texas
Australia's women's golf stars are saluting the "huge" opportunities as they eye not only major championship glory but the equal-biggest purse in the sport's history.
Rd 1 Aussie tee times (AEST)
#: Starting on the 10th hole - all others starting on the first
Former champion Hannah Green and dual major winner Minjee Lee will spearhead a nine-strong Australian challenge vying for a monster $US12 million ($A18.5 million) pot at this week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas.
Like at the US Open earlier this month, Sunday's winner is set to receive a whopping $US2.4 million ($A3.7 million) after officials on Wednesday morning revealed a 15 per cent increase in this year's total prize pool.
"I just saw that email about 20 minutes ago actually, that it had increased another couple of million. Yeah, it's huge," Karis Davidson said on a Zoom call from the US.
"Women's sports and golf is definitely growing and trending in the right direction.
"I don't know if it'll ever be on par with the men's, but it's definitely improving and the LPGA is doing the best they can to improve our tour."
Playing the event for the first time since 2023, Davidson is thrilled to be back on the big stage after taking six months out of golf last year while feeling disillusioned.
The revitalised 26-year-old enters the season's third major championship fresh off a career-best tied for seventh at last week's LPGA Meijer Classic, having held a share of the halfway lead in Michigan.
"Just coming back, I have a new perspective with the game," Davidson said.
"I wouldn't say it's just because I'm playing well. I have had these good results due to enjoyment."
The Queenslander is certainly enjoying the perks back on tour, while also bracing for a true test at the Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco course.
"You can really feel it when you turn up to the course," Davidson said.
"It's just the set-up is different, and you can really feel like you're at a major. Like, in our locker room this week, we have menus for food, and trust me, talking about food.
"But the course is set up longer and tougher, and everyone's out there really grinding.
"It's my privilege to be able to compete in a major again."
Steph Kyriacou, Gabriela Ruffels, Grace Kim, Cassie Porter, Hira Naveed, and Robyn Choi round out the Australian contingent in Texas.
While Davidson was happily dining with Airbnb housemates Green and Kyriacou on Tuesday night, world number one Nelly Korda was conspicuously absent from the traditional champions dinner because of a sore neck.
The American had therapeutic tape on the back of her neck when she spoke to the media on Tuesday.
Korda skipped two tournaments during the LPGA Tour's Asia swing because of a minor neck injury, but said she would be ready for Thursday's first round.
"I hit a shot out of the rough and my neck went into a full spasm," Korda said, adding that she felt better but also acknowledged it was impacting her swing and preparation.
"Obviously, with the injury that I had last year, every single time something kind of flares up in my neck now, I think I feel it a little bit more than what I used to.
"But I have a great [physical therapist] who takes care of me. Trying to work through it, but I'll be ready by Thursday."
The 15-time tour winner was the runner-up at the US Women's Open three weeks ago but hasn't won in nine starts this season.
AAP/AP
