When the AIG Women’s Open was first staged half a century ago, it was a modest affair. The field was dominated by amateur players, and the total prize fund for the entire tournament was a mere £500.
The inaugural event, held at Fulford Golf Club in 1976, was won by Jenny Lee Smith, a name that now feels distant from the glittering spectacle the tournament has become. Fast‑forward fifty years and the tournament is virtually unrecognisable.
What began as a low‑key competition, with professionals such as Vivien Saunders and Gwen Brandom even contributing their own money to the prize pool, has evolved into one of the premier stops on the global golf calendar. The event now boasts state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure, a multi‑million‑pound purse, and a field that reads like a who’s‑who of women’s golf.
This week, the 50th anniversary of the championship is being celebrated at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club. Sky Sports will broadcast the action live from Thursday, and the stakes are staggering: a winner’s share of $1.5 million (approximately £1.25 million) out of a total prize pool of $10 million (£7.5 million). The financial leap is dramatic, especially when compared with the original £500 prize fund.
Dame Laura Davies, a legend of the game who holds the record for 43 consecutive appearances at the AIG Women’s Open, summed up the transformation when speaking to Sky Sports. “I don’t recognise it from when I used to play it,” she said.
“It’s no longer an add‑on; it’s a stand‑alone major championship and a superb event.” Her words capture the sentiment of many players who have watched the tournament grow from a niche competition into a marquee major. Attendance figures illustrate the surge in popularity. Organisers anticipate more than 50,000 spectators over the week at Royal Lytham, a number that has eclipsed the attendance records set in each of the previous three editions. Since AIG became the title sponsor, the prize money has more than tripled, underscoring the commercial appeal that the event now commands.
The early years were far from smooth. The tournament struggled to secure a sponsor until 1979, and venue interest was limited. In 1983 the event was actually cancelled because of insufficient funding, casting doubt on its future. It wasn’t until the mid‑1980s that corporate backing began to appear, with brands such as Burberry (1985) and Weetabix (1987‑1993) stepping in.
Even then, the tournament’s status was modest; the LPGA Tour included it on its 1984 schedule but dropped it for a decade thereafter. Dame Laura Davies recalled those formative years with a mixture of nostalgia and disbelief. “My very first Open was in 1980 at Wentworth on the East Course, then we went up to Newcastle in 1981 and there was nobody there,” she recalled.
“We spent a long spell at Woburn and the galleries were decent, but when I won at Royal Birkdale in 1986 there were only a few hundred people watching the final round. You can’t compare that with today – the event has grown massively.” The tournament achieved major‑championship status in 2001, taking the place of the event now known as the Canadian Women’s Open. It wasn’t until 2017 that the R&A assumed direct organisational responsibility, replacing the Ladies’ Golf Union. Since then, the championship has been staged on some of the most revered links courses in the world, including the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie, and Royal Troon.
Extensive television coverage and award‑winning player facilities have further cemented its reputation. Davies highlighted the importance of venue quality and player amenities.
“Playing on great links courses is huge,” she explained. “Prize money keeps rising, which the players love, but the facilities matter just as much.
The player lounge, the services, the overall infrastructure make you feel valued and comfortable.” She added that increased TV exposure for women’s sport has drawn larger crowds, as fans want to see the personalities they watch on screen in person. The current edition promises high‑drama on the fairways.
Featured Group coverage will deliver three extra hours of action over the first two rounds, with Nelly Korda eyeing the completion of a career Grand Slam and Ha‑Ran Ryu chasing a third consecutive major title. British players have a strong recent pedigree: Georgia Hall captured the title in 2018 and Catriona Matthew won in 2009, both at Royal Lytham.
Home‑grown hopefuls such as Charley Hull and rising star Lottie Woad will be looking to add their names to that list. Davies offered insight into the challenges the course will present. “Caddies who have played The Open at Royal Birkdale say Royal Lytham is fiery,” she said.
“The bunkers are harsher, so bunker play will be a nightmare for many.” Regarding Hull, Davies was confident: “She’s too good not to win a major; we’ll see if her course management holds up here.” As for Woad, Davies praised her temperament: “She’s solid, not flashy, and handles pressure well – that’s a huge advantage.” In summary, the AIG Women’s Open has journeyed from a £500, amateur‑heavy tournament to a £1.25 million‑prize‑money major that commands global attention. Its evolution reflects broader changes in women’s sport: growing commercial investment, enhanced media coverage, and a surge in fan interest.
As the 2026 edition unfolds at Royal Lytham, viewers can expect world‑class golf, historic venues, and a celebration of a competition that has truly transformed over the past fifty years.