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Women’s Open announces record $10m prize fund despite being unprofitable

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The AIG Women’s Open has increased its prize fund for a sixth successive year despite not being a profitable tournament to stage.

This year’s championship, which is being held from 30 July – 2 August at Royal Lytham & St Annes on the Lancashire coast, will have a record purse of $10m (£7.4m).

It is not the only one of the five annual women’s majors taking advantage of sponsorship deals to offer increasing prize money. The US Women’s Open – which last year had the largest prize fund in the women’s game at $12m – has the backing of Ally Financial.

“At the moment it’s not profitable,” said R&A chief executive Mark Darbon.

“We treat it as an investment into the game, but an absolutely critical investment.

“Our focus actually is around audience growth. We think if we’re going to be true to that notion of inspiring millions of people around the world, we need to grow the audience for this championship and the women’s game more broadly.”

Around 50,000 spectators are expected to attend across the week of what will be the 50th Women’s Open, while Darbon pointed to increased television coverage as a way of boosting the game’s profile.

The $10m prize fund lags behind the $17m shared out between the players at last year’s Open Championship and while Darbon would like to see that levelled in the future, he said the R&A had to “think sustainably”.

“There is a commercial reality. We’re investing collectively, AIG and the R&A, significant sums into the championship, and we want to do that in a responsible way.

“So we’re not in a position to have equal prize funds at the moment, but we will look to continue to elevate our prize fund over time.

“We want to reward the stars of our sport. We have to do that in a sustainable fashion.”

Darbon said it would be possible to make the championship profitable by cutting back on the spend but that was not on his agenda.

“If profitability was our number one ambition for this event, there are a number of things we could do to put us on a path to achieving that result.

“At the moment, profitability is not a principal target for us. We want to deliver brilliant venues and a wonderful experience for the players.

“We want to have a meaningful and growing prize pot, and we want to deliver a spectator experience both live and through broadcast and digital channels that inspires and excites people.”

Darbon also announced that the 2028 Women’s Open would be held at Sunningdale’s Old Course in Surrey.

Unlike the men’s Open Championship, the women’s visits inland courses as well as links courses on the coast.

“The Open and Women’s Open have their own discrete identities,” he said.

“We don’t treat them as one, and therefore we don’t treat the venue selection process as one either.

“We are very focused on taking this event to what we regard as some of the world’s very best courses.”

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How to watch Orioles vs. Rangers: TV channel and streaming options for August 8

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The Texas Rangers take a three-game winning streak into a home matchup versus the Baltimore Orioles at 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday. Jacob deGrom (7-7, 3.96 ERA) will start for the Rangers, who are 58-58 this season and second in the AL West. Kyle Bradish (7-10, 3.79 ERA) is expected to start for the Orioles, who are 56-60 and fourth in the AL East.

How to watch Baltimore Orioles vs. Texas Rangers

Orioles vs. Rangers odds

  • Favorite Moneyline: Rangers -154
  • Underdog Moneyline: Orioles +125
  • Total: 7.5
  • Total Over Odds: +100
  • Total Under Odds: -120

Injury reports

Rangers

Kyle Higashioka: 10 Day IL (Flexor tendon), Josh Jung: 10 Day IL (Calf), Jose Corniell: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Jack Leiter: 15 Day IL (Ankle), Jakob Junis: 15 Day IL (Groin), Danny Jansen: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Robert Garcia: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Jalen Beeks: 60 Day IL (Back), Michael Helman: 60 Day IL (Hand), Carter Baumler: 60 Day IL (Ribs)

Orioles

Samuel Basallo: 10 Day IL (Shoulder), Blaze Alexander: 10 Day IL (Hand), Zach Eflin: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Felix Bautista: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Keegan Akin: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Chris Bassitt: 60 Day IL (Back), Ryan Helsley: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Ryan Mountcastle: 60 Day IL (Foot), Jordan Westburg: 60 Day IL (Ucl), Colin Selby: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)

Stats to know

  • Ezequiel Duran is hitting for a .274 BA, .328 OBP and .457 SLG with a 23.4% strikeout rate and a 7.1% walk rate. His OPS is .785 and he has scored 51 runs. In 406 plate appearances, he has hit 13 home runs and driven in 63 runs. Duran has been crafty on the base paths, recording nine steals on 11 attempts.
  • In 465 plate appearances, Brandon Nimmo has hit 12 long balls, tallied 43 RBIs and scored 48 runs. He is batting .274/.342/.444 and has posted a 21.3% strikeout rate and an 8.2% walk rate. Nimmo has recorded six steals on seven attempts.
  • Pete Alonso has hit 23 home runs this season. He has also tallied 71 RBIs (14th in MLB) and has scored 68 runs. In 502 plate appearances, he has recorded a .247 BA, .341 OBP and .454 SLG with an 11.4% walk rate and a 24.9% strikeout rate.
  • In 522 plate appearances, Gunnar Henderson has hit 18 long balls, tallied 47 RBIs and scored 65 runs. He is batting .217/.297/.391 and has posted a 22.8% strikeout rate and an 8.6% walk rate. Henderson has recorded eight steals on 12 attempts.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

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How to watch Storm vs. Fire: TV channel and streaming options for August 8

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Dominique Malonga leads the Seattle Storm (6-27) into a matchup against the Portland Fire (12-19) after putting up 31 points in a 92-86 loss to the Liberty. The game is on Saturday, August 8, 2026, tipping off at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV, FOX12+, CW Seattle, KOMO 4, and Amazon Prime Video.

How to watch Seattle Storm vs. Portland Fire

Seattle vs. Portland odds

  • Spread: Seattle -1.5 (-115), Portland +1.5 (-105)
  • Favorite Moneyline: Seattle -120
  • Underdog Moneyline: Portland +100
  • Total: 179.5
  • Total Over Odds: -110
  • Total Under Odds: -110

Injury reports

Storm

Katie Lou Samuelson: Questionable (Knee)

Fire

Sania Feagin: Out For Season (Knee),

Bridget Carleton: Probable (Foot),

Sarah Ashlee Barker: Out For Season (Knee),

Teja Oblak: Probable (Knee)

Stats to know

  • The 82.7 points per game the Storm record are 9.1 fewer points than the Fire give up (91.8).
  • Portland’s 86.5 points per game are just 1.8 fewer points than the 88.3 Seattle allows.
  • Flau’jae Johnson averages 13.9 points, 4.9 boards and 2.9 assists per contest, while shooting 39.2% from the field and 26.8% from downtown with 1.2 made treys per game.
  • Bridget Carleton puts up 14.3 points, 2.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Julio Aguilar, Ethan Miller, Steph Chambers / Getty Images

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How to watch Rays vs. Mariners: TV channel and streaming options for August 8

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The Tampa Bay Rays carry a four-game win streak into a home matchup versus the Seattle Mariners, at 9:50 p.m. ET on Saturday. George Kirby (8-9, 3.76 ERA) will start for the Mariners, who are 56-61 this season and third in the AL West. Griffin Jax (6-9, 3.63 ERA) is expected to start for the Rays, who are 69-46 and first in the AL East.

How to watch Tampa Bay Rays vs. Seattle Mariners

Rays vs. Mariners odds

  • Favorite Moneyline: Mariners -118
  • Underdog Moneyline: Rays -102
  • Total: 7
  • Total Over Odds: -105
  • Total Under Odds: -115

Injury reports

Mariners

Luke Raley: 10 Day IL (Elbow), J.P. Crawford: 10 Day IL (Wrist), Matt Brash: 15 Day IL (Lat), Cole Wilcox: 15 Day IL (Oblique), Cooper Criswell: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Will Wilson: 60 Day IL (Thumb), Logan Evans: 60 Day IL (Arm), Carlos Vargas: 60 Day IL (Lat)

Rays

Ben Williamson: 10 Day IL (Hamstring), Cole Sulser: 15 Day IL (Back), Shane McClanahan: 15 Day IL (Back), Jake Fraley: 60 Day IL (Groin), Manuel Rodriguez: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Ryan Pepiot: 60 Day IL (Hip), Gavin Lux: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Jon Heasley: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Edwin Uceta: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)

Stats to know

  • Randy Arozarena is hitting for a .282 BA, .376 OBP and .451 SLG with a 20.8% strikeout rate and a 9.7% walk rate. His OPS is .827 and he has scored 73 runs. In 466 plate appearances, he has hit 14 home runs and driven in 49 runs. Arozarena has been crafty on the base paths, recording 20 steals on 26 attempts.
  • In 458 plate appearances, Julio Rodriguez is hitting .260/.323/.429 with a .752 OPS and 15 steals on 18 attempts. He has hit 18 long balls, driven in 51 runs and scored 54 times.
  • Junior Caminero is hitting for a .283 BA, .375 OBP and .556 SLG with an 18.1% strikeout rate and a 12.5% walk rate. His OPS is .931, which ranks 5th in MLB, and he has scored 70 runs. In 502 plate appearances, he has hit 33 home runs (2nd in MLB) and driven in 71 runs (14th in MLB).
  • In 485 plate appearances, Yandy Diaz has slashed .296/.369/.452 this season. He has hit 15 long balls and driven in 64 runs with a strikeout rate of 14.8% and a walk rate of 8.9%. and has scored 61 runs.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

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