The AIG Women’s Open has undergone a transformation that would be almost unimaginable to anyone who witnessed its modest beginnings half a century ago. When the tournament first rolled out fifty years ago, it was a largely amateur affair, with a total prize fund of just £500 for the entire event.
The field was a mix of enthusiastic amateurs and a few pioneering professionals such as Vivien Saunders and Gwen Brandom, who even contributed their own money to bolster the prize pool. Fast‑forward fifty years, and the same championship now commands a $10 million (£7.5 million) purse, with the winner taking home a record $1.5 million (£1.25 million). It has become one of the premier fixtures on the global golf calendar, attracting the world’s elite female golfers and drawing crowds that dwarf those of its early editions. The inaugural edition was a modest venture, held at Fulford Golf Club where Jenny Lee Smith lifted the trophy in 1976.
Back then, the tournament struggled to find a permanent home and even went without a sponsor until 1979. Funding was so precarious that the 1983 edition was cancelled outright, casting doubt over the event’s future.
It wasn’t until the late 1980s, when sponsors such as Burberry and Weetabix stepped in, that the Open began to gain a foothold. Yet even then, the tournament was still fighting for recognition, only being added to the LPGA schedule intermittently and remaining a peripheral event compared with the men’s majors. A pivotal moment arrived in 2001 when the R&A elevated the competition to major‑championship status, replacing the former Canadian Women’s Open on the major roster.
This upgrade signaled that the tournament was no longer a side‑show but a cornerstone of women’s professional golf. In 2017 the R&A took direct control from the Ladies’ Golf Union, further professionalising the event’s administration and paving the way for the modern era of spectacular venues, broadcast deals and player amenities.
Today, the 50th anniversary of the AIG Women’s Open is being celebrated at the storied Royal Lytham & St Annes, a course that has hosted numerous men’s Open Championships and now serves as a fitting stage for the women’s major. Over 50,000 spectators are expected throughout the week, a figure that eclipses the modest galleries of the 1980s when players like Dame Laura Davies recalled playing in front of only a few hundred onlookers at Royal Birkdale. The surge in attendance mirrors the broader growth of women’s sport on television; increased exposure has turned players into household names and drawn fans eager to see their favourite athletes compete live.
Dame Laura Davies, who holds the record for 43 consecutive appearances at the Open, summed up the change perfectly when she told Sky Sports, "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 capture the shift from a peripheral tournament to a marquee event with world‑class infrastructure.
Modern players now enjoy state‑of‑the‑art locker rooms, dedicated player lounges, and comprehensive support services that make them feel valued and respected. The prize money, which has more than tripled since AIG became the title sponsor, is another major draw; the steady climb in financial rewards reflects both the commercial success of the event and the growing marketability of women’s golf. The tournament’s schedule this week promises high drama. Nelly Korda is chasing a career Grand Slam, while Ha Ryu aims for a third consecutive major victory.
British hopefuls such as Charley Hull and Lottie Woad are eager to continue the recent trend of home‑grown champions, following the successes of Georgia Hall in 2018 and Catriona Matthew in 2009. Caddies have already warned that Royal Lytham’s bunkers are far more unforgiving than those at Royal Birkdale, adding a strategic layer that will test even the most seasoned competitors. Beyond the on‑course action, the AIG Women’s Open has become a showcase for broader initiatives. Extended television coverage, award‑winning player facilities, and a strong partnership with Sky Sports have all contributed to its elevated profile.
The event also serves as a platform for promoting the sport to younger generations, with Sky Sports offering live updates via WhatsApp and other digital channels, ensuring fans can follow every swing, putt and birdie in real time. In summary, the journey from a £500 prize fund to a £1.25 million winner’s share illustrates the remarkable growth of the AIG Women’s Open.
From its shaky early years, through periods of financial uncertainty, to its current status as a globally recognized major, the tournament embodies the progress of women’s professional golf. As the 2026 edition unfolds at Royal Lytham & St Annes, viewers worldwide will witness not just a competition for a trophy, but a celebration of five decades of perseverance, investment and the relentless pursuit of excellence in women’s sport.