Figures released by the PSA say compensation grew by 5.2 per cent when compared to the 2015-16 campaign.

A total of $5.8 million (£4.6 million/€5.2 million) was awarded in all during 2016-17 - with the season culminating earlier this month with the PSA World Series Finals.

On the men's tour 149 events paid out just over $3.8 million (£3 million/€3.4 million) while nearly $2 million (£1.6 million/€1.8 million) went to female players after 71 competitions.

Tournaments were played in 48 countries with 78 nationalities represented.

"At the end of a hugely successful season it is encouraging to see that both the men's and women's tours have continued to grow and that the professional sport is continuing to move in the right direction," said PSA chief commercial officer Tommy Berden.

"It is a particularly important boost to see that we are closing in on our goals of achieving equality and parity in both playing opportunities and prize money across both genders on the PSA World Tour. 

"And with events such as the 2017 AJ Bell World Championship in Manchester - which will be the first equal money World Championship - still to come, the forecast for the remainder of 2017 is very positive.

"We now look forward to strengthening our relationships with our partners ahead of the 2017-18 season as we continue to drive the sport forward across all areas." 

In Dubai, Mohamed Elshorbagy of Egypt and Laura Massaro of England won the season-ending titles.