The AIG Women’s Open began half a century ago as a modest competition, its field dominated by amateurs and a total prize pool of merely £500. Back then, even the professionals who entered—names such as Vivien Saunders and Gwen Brandom—had to contribute their own money to flesh out the purse. Fast forward fifty years, and the tournament bears little resemblance to the event Jenny Lee Smith captured at Fulford Golf Club in 1976. Today it stands as one of the premier fixtures on the global golf calendar, boasting a $10 million (£7.5 million) total prize fund and a record‑breaking winner’s share of $1.5 million (£1.25 million).
The transformation has been dramatic. After a rocky start, the tournament struggled to secure sponsorship until 1979 and even faced cancellation in 1983 when funding fell through.
Those early setbacks left its future in doubt, and the event only intermittently appeared on the LPGA schedule—first in 1984, then not again for another ten years. During those formative years, sponsors such as Burberry (1985) and Weetabix (1987‑1993) provided modest support, but the tournament remained a peripheral event, far from the spotlight enjoyed by its male counterparts.
A turning point arrived when AIG became title sponsor, eventually more than tripling the prize money on offer. In 2001 the competition was elevated to major‑championship status, replacing the former Canadian Women’s Open as the second women’s major.
The R&A took direct control of the tournament’s organisation in 2017, replacing the Ladies’ Golf Union and bringing the same level of professionalism and resources that the men’s Open enjoys. The shift in stature is evident in every aspect of the modern event. Royal Lytham & St Annes, the historic links venue hosting the 50th anniversary, is expected to welcome over 50,000 spectators throughout the week—a figure that eclipses the modest galleries of the 1980s and early 1990s, when only a few hundred fans might have been seen on the final day. The tournament now enjoys extensive television coverage on Sky Sports, with dedicated "Featured Group" broadcasts providing three extra hours of action during the first two rounds.
This exposure has helped to grow the fanbase and attract the world’s elite players, including Nelly Korda, who is chasing a career Grand Slam, and Ha‑Rin Ryu, who seeks a third consecutive major. Veteran Dame Laura Davies, who holds the record for 43 consecutive appearances, summed up the change perfectly: "I don’t recognise it from when I used to play it.
It’s not an add‑on anymore, it’s a stand‑alone major championship of golf and it’s a superb event." Her comments reflect not only the increase in prize money but also the dramatic upgrade in facilities. Players now enjoy state‑of‑the‑art lounges, comprehensive medical and physiotherapy services, and meticulous course preparations that rival any men’s major.
The evolution of the venues also mirrors the tournament’s rising prestige. While early editions hopped between modest courses, recent years have seen the AIG Women’s Open staged on the same legendary links that host The Open Championship—St Andrews’ Old Course, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, and now Royal Lytham.
These storied settings provide the dramatic scenery and challenging conditions that test the best golfers in the world, while also delivering a visual spectacle for television audiences. Beyond the financial and infrastructural upgrades, the tournament’s cultural impact has grown. Women’s sport receives far more media attention than it did three decades ago, and the AIG Women’s Open has benefited from this shift.
Fans who watch the event on television are increasingly eager to experience it in person, filling the galleries and creating a vibrant atmosphere that players, including Davies, describe as "fiery" and "unlike anything we saw in the early days." British success has also become a storyline of note. The most recent champions at Royal Lytham, Georgia Hall in 2018 and Catriona Matthew in 2009, have kept the trophy on home soil, and rising stars such as Charley Hull and Lottie Woad are hoping to extend that legacy.
Hull, praised for her strategic course management, is seen as a future major winner, while Woad’s steady temperament and solid play have earned her the respect of caddies and peers alike. Looking ahead, the tournament promises to continue its upward trajectory. With AIG’s commitment to expanding the purse and the R&A’s dedication to delivering a world‑class event, the AIG Women’s Open is poised to attract even larger crowds, higher television ratings, and a deeper field of elite competitors.
The combination of historic links courses, cutting‑edge player amenities, and a prize fund that rivals the men’s majors ensures that the event will remain a cornerstone of the women's golfing calendar for decades to come. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, beginning with the opening round on Thursday and featuring full coverage from 1 pm each day. As the tournament unfolds, the question on everyone’s mind will be: who will claim the record‑breaking £1.25 million prize and add their name to the growing list of legends who have triumphed at this once‑humble, now‑unrecognisable championship?