‘I think it’s important not to compare ourselves to the men’

Men’s and women’s golf have always been different worlds, but the chasm of financial and physical power has become wider in recent years.

Max Homa hit a drive in Hawaii 477 yards in January, Viktor Hovland won $18 million in Atlanta last August and next week, the winner of LIV Golf’s event in Houston will bank $4 million.

The women’s game is hard-pressed to keep up with these figures, but Georgia Hall believes it is crucial not to draw comparisons and to shift focus on the qualities and immense talent she and her colleagues possess.

The former Open champion says the rhythmic manner of the LPGA Tour and LET stars speaks more to the everyday golfer, while also singing the praises of organisations such as the R&A and AIG for significantly investing in the growth of women’s golf.

“I think it’s important not to compare ourselves to the men, including the whole prize money questions we get. It’s just they’re two very different entities,” she said.

“We play golf differently, and we don’t hit the ball as far, but I think a lot of people like to watch us because of that, because more people can relate, and the tempo and rhythm we have, it’s very different to the men.

“I think that’s why it’s important to see how far we’ve come in the last 10 years instead of looking like it’s not equal to the men yet, and I don’t think it will be for a while, but I think the support we’re already getting from the R&A and AIG for this event (The AIG Women’s Open), in general, is providing a great example for companies and tournaments to come in and rise up to their level and do the same.”

Since 2019, the R&A and AIG, a US finance and investment corporation, have been partners and in August 2023, AIG extended its sponsorship of the Women’s Open to 2030. The event will be held at St Andrews later this summer.

Lilia Vu won this major tournament last year and was the benefactor of the $1.35 million winner’s prize. AIG CEO Peter Zaffino expressed his passion to support the women’s game and to gradually cut the pay gap.

“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 equality and gender pay equity and reinforces our tremendous partnership with and respect for The R&A,” he said last year.

“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.”

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Georgia Hall: Women’s golf could benefit after Lottie Woad win at Augusta National

The eyes on LPGA Tour golf on television dwindle compared to the PGA Tour as well, but Hall represents a small group of UK players at a level ready to tackle tournaments in the States.

Her fellow countrywoman Charley Hull is a two-time LPGA Tour winner but after this pair, you must scroll down the Rolex Rankings to find Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh at 71 and England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff a little lower. This quartet alone represents the UK in the top 100 of women’s golf.

All are proven LPGA Tour winners, but where or when will the next wave arrive? Perhaps Lottie Woad can begin the charge. Hall recently spent time with the young star from Surrey at the Chevron Championship, who won this year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Woad’s success at golf’s most famous venue is precisely what fans and Hall seek. The coverage and interest have rocketed since she turned professional in 2014 and this will continue if the home nations can keep unearthing stars.

“I think in this country in general, because there’s a few of us play on the LPGA, it’s really hard for anyone to watch it, and I know because of the timings and the time difference, that I don’t have it on TV that much, either, so I think that’s one thing that can definitely improve, especially in this country or actually the UK.

“Other than that, I think just more – obviously the atmosphere events, what’s happening at the Masters, when Lottie won, I think that’s just incredible. I met her at Chevron a couple of weeks ago, as well, and just to see that and have an English winner is just fantastic for the game, and I just think if we can keep doing that.

“I remember 10 years ago, it’s tripled, quadrupled, since I was like 15, so I think we just keep going on the path that we’re going on.”

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