Star-studded U.S. Women's Open a stark contrast to splintering PGA Tour

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We're constantly reminded that professional sports are a business. Don't get too attached to any players, we're told, because they could be playing for a different team at any given moment.

For individual sports like golf, the calculus is slightly different. But recent events serve as a solid reminder that — for better and for worse — money always matters.

LPGA

We'll start with the "for better" part. This weekend's U.S. Women's Open — the second major of the season — is littered with past, present and future stars competing for their share of a record $10 million US purse, more than double last year's total of $4.8 million. By comparison, the 2021 men's U.S. Open handed out $12.5 million, including $2.25 million to winner Jon Rahm. The winner of the women's event this weekend will walk away with $1.8 million.

The remaining difference prompted World No. 3 Lydia Ko of New Zealand to point out that "there's still a ways to go" to achieve pay equality in golf. But at the very least, the increase in prize money might have helped produce an extremely intriguing field.

There's no shortage of present stars, either. Sixth-ranked Lexi Thompson is looking to bounce back after blowing a five-stroke lead on the final day of competition last year, while reigning Olympic champion Nelly Korda is playing her first event since March after surgery for a blood clot. Canada's Brooke Henderson, ranked 11th, is also back following a lengthy illness absence. Meanwhile, 19-year-old phenom Rose Zhang, who just won the NCAA individual championship and became the first student-athlete to sign an