The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews said on Monday the winner of this year's August 1 – 4 tournament will pocket US$675,000.

The prize pot remains significantly smaller than the US$10.75 million on offer at the men's Open at Royal Portrush this month, with the winner receiving US$1.89 million.

"We recognised that more needed to be done to elevate the prize fund for this great championship and are pleased that we have been able to make a significant increase this year as part of The R&A's commitment to women's golf," said Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A.

"This is an important first step and we know it will take time to move closer to achieving parity with the men's game." – Martin Slumbers

"This is an important first step and we know it will take time to move closer to achieving parity with the men's game."

Britain's Georgia Hall, who won the tournament last year by two strokes, will defend her title against nine of the past 10 champions at Woburn Golf Club.