AIG Women’s Open: How big ‘unknown’ rise continues ahead of 50th anniversary at Royal Lytham and St Annes | golf news

When the AIG Women’s Open first launched 50 years ago, the field was made up mostly of amateurs and the prize money – for the whole tournament – was just £500.

Fast forward half a century and the tournament, unknown to Jennie Lee Smith at Fulford Golf Club in 1976, has become one of the biggest events in the golfing calendar.

While the inaugural edition saw professionals Vivienne Saunders and Gwen Brandom contribute their own money to the prize fund, the tournament has since gone from strength to strength with enhanced infrastructure and increased purses.

A star-studded field returns for the 50th edition of the Royal Lytham and St Annes this week, Live on Sky Sports from ThursdayWhere the world’s best will challenge for major glory and a record $1.5m (£1.25m) winner’s share of the $10m (£7.5m) prize purse.

“I don’t remember when I played it,” said Dame Laura Davies, who holds a record 43 consecutive AIG Women’s Opens. Sky Sports. “It’s no longer an add-on, it’s a stand-alone major championship in golf and it’s a great event.”

From the initial challenge to the big history

More than 50,000 fans are expected throughout tournament week at Royal Lytham and St Annes, breaking various attendance records in each of the three previous editions, while AIG has tripled the prize money on offer since becoming title sponsor.

The tournament’s history has had a rocky start as it had no sponsors until 1979 and initially struggled to attract venues to host the event, while the 1983 edition was canceled due to lack of funds and its future was threatened.

With the LPGA Tour as part of their 1984 schedule but not again for another decade, with Burberry (1985) and Weetabix (1987–1993) among the sponsors during that period, the tournament took time to grow in size.

“My first Open was at Wentworth on the East Course in 1980, then we went to Newcastle (1981) and there was nobody there,” Davies added. “Then we went to Woburn for a long time and the galleries were really good.

“I won my Women’s Open at Royal Birkdale (1986) and I think there were a couple of hundred people turning up in the final round, so you can’t compare it to that now – it’s grown massively.”

The tournament was first recognized as a major in 2001, replacing the event now known as the Canadian Women’s Open, while it began to be organized only directly by the R&A – rather than the Ladies Golf Union – in 2017.

The Old Courses at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Royal Troon are all on The Open roster and have been recent venues for the AIG Women’s Open, where increased TV coverage and award-winning player facilities have helped the tournament grow.

“I think the biggest thing is that we go to all these great links courses,” Davis explained. “Obviously the prize money is a big thing and grows every year, which the players certainly love, but it’s also the benefit.

“When you go there and see the infrastructure, the player lounge and the services for the players, it makes you feel comfortable and makes you feel special. Everyone is looked after as a player and they do a great job.

“Obviously it helps that women’s sports are more on TV now, because people want to come and see the characters they see on TV, and you see gallery-wise and how much they’ve grown. I can’t say anything bad about this event!”

Big week ahead at Royal Lytham…and another British winner?

Featured group coverage will provide over three hours of action in the first two rounds of the final women’s major of the year, with Nelly Korda looking to complete a career grand slam and Harron Ryu chasing a third straight major title.

The last two winners of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham have both been British, with Georgia Hall’s 2018 success following Catriona Mathieu’s 2009 win, while Charlie Hull and Lottie Wade are among those looking to extend that streak on home soil.

“I spoke to a couple of caddies who were at Royal Birkdale (for The Open) and there (Royal Lytham) – they said it was really hot,” Davies said. “The bunkers are going to be a nightmare, because they’re a lot tougher than Royal Birkdale.

“Hall has never been in contention at the Evian Championship and we’ll have to wait and see if his course management works here. He’s going to win a major – he’s not very good.

“From what I’ve heard about Lottie (Odd) from all the other caddies, she’s very tough. She’s not flashy, she has a really good temperament and she takes everything in her stride. If you can have that temperament, it’s a big deal.”

Who will win the AIG Women’s Open? Watch live all week on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the opening round begins on Thursday with featured groups from 9am, before full coverage from 1pm on Sky Sports Golf.