International finance company AIG has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s golf by extending its partnership with The R&A as title sponsor of the AIG Women’s Open through to 2030.
Since 2019, The R&A and AIG have focused on elevating women’s golf, and the AIG Women’s Open in particular, by showcasing the elite athletes who compete in this renowned major championship on a global stage. The partnership between The R&A and AIG has also put a spotlight on showing leadership in supporting the women athletes financially and through the selection of world-class golf courses as host venues.
The total prize fund for the AIG Women’s Open has increased significantly since AIG became the title sponsor in 2019. At this year’s Championship, which gets under way at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey tomorrow, the total prize fund will be $9 million, a 23% increase on 2022. The 2023 champion will earn $1.35 million.
Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A said, “In AIG and Peter Zaffino, we have found an ally of women’s golf which has formed the basis of our strong partnership and I am delighted to see that continue. We have a clear vision for the AIG Women’s Open; we want to see the best women golfers compete on the best golf courses in front of large crowds and show us how good they are.”
Slumbers added: “When I look around at the 2023 AIG Women’s Open and what we have achieved in five years, I am incredibly proud; but even more so, I am inspired by what we can still do. The future of women’s golf is bright and it is up to us, with the support of the wider industry, to take bold steps, in a way that is financially sustainable, to ensure our aspirations become reality.”
Peter Zaffino, Chairman & CEO of AIG said: “We are proud to be the title sponsor of the AIG Women’s Open. This long-term extension reinforces our commitment to continue providing leadership on gender equity and gender pay equity and reinforces our tremendous partnership with and respect for The R&A.
“The R&A shares our values and particularly our allyship and dedication to having a meaningful impact on women in golf, business and society more broadly. We became the title sponsor in 2019 with an overall objective of demonstrating leadership in profiling the elite athletes who compete in the AIG Women’s Open on a global stage and ensuring that the Championship was elevated and recognised for the progress that has been made in both the prize money and the selection of venues for these exceptionally talented women.”
AIG extends headline sponsorship of Women’s Open to 2030
