Jun 11, 2026
American golfer Nelly Korda just made history on the golf course — and at the bank. The winner of the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, Korda earned her fourth major title and took home $2.5 million from a record-setting $12.5 million purse.
That prize is in addition to the $43,000 she won at the Kroger Queen City Championship in May, $375,000 at the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakobo, and the $1.3 million she won at The Chevron Championship in April. In 2026 alone, Korda has already earned nearly $5.5 million, and we’re only halfway through the LPGA season.
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But Korda’s payout at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open is particularly noteworthy because it’s the largest paycheck in women’s major history. The LPGA season features five major tournaments — the U.S. Women’s Open, along with the Chevron Championship, the AIG Women’s Open, the Evian Championship and the Women’s PGA Championship — and these events are considered the biggest tournaments of the year.
How the prizes in women’s sports have changed
Korda’s U.S. Women’s Open payout is a milestone that would have seemed unthinkable not long ago. Just five years ago, the total purse was $5.5 million, with $1 million going to the winner. The LPGA is now distributing $132 million this season — an all-time high — up from $88.9 million in 2022.
Still, a gap remains: the purse for last year’s U.S. Open on the men’s PGA Tour was at $21.5 million, with the winner collecting $4.3 million. The disparity between men’s and women’s sports has long been a hot topic.
In basketball, for example, the gap has been even starker. As recently as 2025, the WNBA supermax salary was $249,244 — less than the NBA’s minimum of roughly $1.1 million. A new collective bargaining agreement signed in March 2026 changed that significantly: the average WNBA salary jumped to $583,000 in 2026, and the salary cap for each team increased nearly five times to $7 million. That’s progress, but the NBA’s minimum salary still exceeds the WNBA’s average by nearly two-fold.
In golf, the conversation is even more nuanced. While women aren’t explicitly banned from competing in the PGA Tour’s U.S. Open, no woman has ever played in the tournament. Mostly, that is due to the qualification rules.
For Korda, her historic win means a life-changing sum hitting her account in a single week. That’s a problem most of us will never face, but there is still the question of how to manage a windfall of cash correctly.
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How to make the most of a windfall — especially as a woman
For most women, a large windfall isn't just a financial opportunity — it's a rare one. While most people are aware of the wage gap — women earn an average of 81 cents per dollar compared to their male counterparts — the financial gap for women extends beyond yearly salaries.
In addition to earning less, women are less likely to invest and less likely to have retirement savings. Layer the fact that women still outlive men on average and are more likely to spend time out of the workforce as caregivers, and the stakes of getting a windfall right become even higher.
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Here’s what you need to know:
Married? Not all windfalls are marital property
In many states, inheritances are not considered marital property upon divorce unless the funds are commingled with marital assets. If you receive an inheritance, consider placing it in an account in your name only. Large financial gains have a way of complicating even the best of marriages, and keeping an inheritance separate could help protect your financial future.
The tax bill comes first
Before you spend a dollar, understand what the IRS is about to take. Prize money, like most windfalls, is taxed as ordinary income. The 37% federal rate kicks in for individuals with taxable income above $626,350 — and any significant windfall is likely to push you there.
There’s also an important gap to account for: the IRS withholds 24% upfront, but the top federal rate is 37% — that gap alone can leave a massive balance due in April if you don’t plan ahead, and state taxes may make the shortfall even worse.
Don’t make big decisions fast
One of the biggest mistakes windfall recipients make is moving too fast. The pressure to “do something” with the money can lead to impulsive decisions that can impact your financial future.
Consider a disciplined approach: park the after-tax amount in a high-yield savings account or a money market fund while you build a real plan. This keeps the money safe and liquid while earning something, without locking it up in a decision you might regret.
From there, you can work out what the next step should be — whether that is paying off debt, investing or adding to your retirement accounts.
Work with a fiduciary advisor
Not all financial advisors are the same. Some are little more than salespeople who push you to buy products or invest in funds that earn them commissions.
Advisors who operate under a fiduciary standard are legally obligated to act in your best interest, while a non-fiduciary is only required to recommend something “suitable.” The practical difference: a fiduciary can’t quietly steer you into a high-fee annuity just because it pays them a better commission.
For women, a windfall isn’t just an inflow of cash; it’s a chance to rewrite a financial story that’s been working against women for a long time. Handle it right, and it can be the foundation for everything that comes next.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer whose work has appeared in publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love. She’s especially passionate about helping families and kids learn smart money habits early.
