Record prize money for Women's British Open

The AIG Women's British Open set a new standard for prize money at the LPGA Tour majors by announcing Wednesday a record purse of $5.8 million, with plans to boost it by an additional $1 million for next year.

The winner this week at Carnousite in Scotland will receive $870,000, compared with the $675,000 that Sophia Popov won last year at Royal Troon.

"We have set a new benchmark for prize money in women's major championship golf this week and, thanks to AIG, will build on it still further next year," said Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The Royal&Ancient.

The US Women's Open still offers the biggest winner's check for the LPGA majors at $1 million, though the total prize money was $5.5 million. Based on the traditional purse distribution on the LPGA Tour, next year's Women's British Open winner would receive $1.02 million.