The R&A has launched celebrations for the 50th AIG Women’s Open with content featuring Dame Laura Davies, reflecting on the Championship’s remarkable journey from a pioneering event in 1976 to one of the leading major events in women’s sport.
Released today to mark 50 days until the 50th AIG Women’s Open, the content honours the players, moments and milestones that have shaped the Championship over the past five decades while looking ahead to its future.
First played in 1976, the Championship has crowned 42 champions from 15 different countries and been staged at 22 venues across the United Kingdom.
What began with a prize fund of just £500, partially funded by the players themselves, has grown into a global major championship with a prize fund of US$10 million.
This growth has been accelerated since 2019 when AIG partnered with The R&A on the Championship. This year marks the sixth consecutive increase in the prize fund which has more than trebled since AIG’s partnership began.
Four-time major champion Dame Laura Davies, one of the most influential figures in women’s golf and a former champion of the AIG Women’s Open, said, “When I think about the AIG Women’s Open, I think about the women who helped build it. They competed because they loved the game and believed women’s golf deserved a bigger stage. What they achieved created opportunities for every generation that followed.”
This summer, the Championship returns to Royal Lytham & St Annes, a venue that has crowned champions including Annika Sörenstam, Catriona Matthew and Georgia Hall.
It arrives stronger than ever, with an increased prize fund, expanded global broadcast coverage and a player experience recognised by the LPGA as the best in golf for the past two years.
“The Championship has changed beyond recognition during my career,” added Davies who played in the Championship a record 43 consecutive times.
“The crowds are bigger, the coverage is bigger and the opportunities for players are greater than ever before. But what has never changed is what it means to win this Championship.
“Personally, I’m proud that what those women set out to achieve 50 years ago will be there for everyone to see at Royal Lytham this summer. The 50th AIG Women’s Open is a chance to celebrate how far the game has come, recognise the people who helped get it there and inspire the next generation to dream even bigger.”
The AIG Women’s Open will be played at Royal Lytham & St Annes from 29 July – 2 August.
Tickets are available at aigwomensopen.com. As part of The R&A’s ‘Kids Go Free’ initiative, children under 16 can attend free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult, while youth tickets (ages 16–24) are available at half price.
A range of premium hospitality packages is also on offer, providing elevated viewing experiences alongside more than ten hours of world-class golf each day.
For full ticket, hospitality and event information, please visit aigwomensopen.com.
