Magic moments (40-31)

With the AIG Women’s Open celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, we take a look back at 50 of the most significant moments in Championship history.

From world-class winners to awesome approach shots, there is much to celebrate from one of the most loved events in women’s sport.

40: Amateur recognition

In 1976, the AIG Women’s Open had evolved from the Ladies Amateur Stroke Play Championship, to allow the inclusion of professional players.

Quite quickly, more and more professionals entered the field, with Vivien Saunders and Alison Sheard from the paid ranks being two of the Championship’s early winners.

The Smyth Salver was introduced in 1979, and has since been awarded to the best-placed amateur in the field, providing they make the cut.

England’s Sue Hedges was the very first recipient, and it has become one of the most sought after prizes in golf, with the likes of Lydia Ko, Anna Nordqvist and Jeeno Thitikul [above] among a stellar roll call of previous winners.

39: Marta’s milestone

Marta Figueras-Dotti withstood final-round charges from Rosie Jones and inaugural Champion Jenny Lee Smith to claim a sensational victory at Royal Birkdale in 1982.

The 24-year-old Spaniard posted a level-par total which was good enough to secure the Smyth Salver and the AIG Women's Open trophy.

It is the only time a player has won both prizes in the same year.

38: Sheehan’s star turn

One of the greatest female golfers in history, Patty Sheehan [above] became the first AIG Women’s Open Champion to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Patty claimed the title at Woburn in 1992 – in a Championship reduced to 54 holes due to torrential rain – finishing on a phenomenal 12-under-par, three strokes clear of Corinne Dibnah.

It was the 30th professional title of a remarkable career.

37: Sherri’s comeback

After shooting a first-round 81 at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1998, Sherri Steinhauer [above] began looking for flights back to America on the Saturday, convinced she wouldn’t even make the cut.

Ten strokes behind Brandie Burton and Betsy King, Sherri went out for the second round with nothing to lose – and tamed the windy Lancashire conditions with her infamous low ball flight.

Suddenly everything clicked. Sherri finished with rounds of 72, 70 and 69, allowing her to overhaul the leading groups and win the Championship for the first time.

It remains the biggest comeback in AIG Women’s Open history.

36: Ace in the pack

The Championship’s first known hole-in-one was struck by Scotland’s Catriona Matthew.

Catriona’s ace occurred at the 15th hole during her second round at Sunningdale in 2001, the same year the AIG Women’s Open achieved major status.

What a way to mark the occasion.

35: Annika’s time

A winner of 72 LPGA titles – including 10 majors – few players have left their mark on golf in the same way as Annika Sorenstam [above].

By 2003, the majestic Swede won the US Women’s Open (twice), the Nabisco Championship and the Women’s PGA Championship, leaving her just a one major shy of the career Grand Slam.

Then she arrived at Royal Lytham & St Annes for the AIG Women’s Open and posted a 10-under-par tally which was enough to see off Se Ri Pak by one and etch her name into the history books.

34: Sensational from Stacy

Winning a major championship at St Andrews is on the bucket list of every golfer on the planet. Stacy Lewis [above] achieved this special feat in 2013.

Forced to play two rounds on the Sunday due to inclement weather, the American quickly found her rhythm and ate into her five-stroke deficit.

She was still two behind heading to the 17th – the famous Road Hole – and landed her drive on the fairway just under 200 yards from the pin.

Stacy then hit one of the best approach shots in recent Championship history, launching a 5-iron to within 10 feet, setting up a fourth birdie which reignited her title charge.

“That might be one of the best [shots] of my career,” she said afterwards.

Stacy finished with back-to-back birdies for the second major title of her career.

33: Home hero Hall

Always a fan favourite, Georgia Hall was the last English winner of the AIG Women’s Open, at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2018.

It was her first major and maiden professional victory.

Receiving the full backing of the vociferous home crowd, Georgia’s victory was made all the more special by her dad Wayne – the person who sparked Georgia’s interest in golf – being her caddie for the week.

32: Scotland the Brave

Anna Nordqvist won the AIG Women’s Open in 2021 – the third major of her career – but one of the stories of the week belonged to Scotland’s Louise Duncan [above].

The emphatic winner of The Women’s Amateur Championship just a few months earlier, Louise stormed into Carnoustie, posting a first-round 68 – just one shot shy of the day’s best – on her major debut.

One-over for her second round, she responded magnificently with another 68 on the Saturday, meaning she sat just two off the lead going into the final day.

Louise eventually finished in a tie for 10th, alongside 2016 Champion Ariya Jutanugarn, and was awarded the Smyth Salver for her remarkable efforts.

31: Lydia leaves it late

A round of 70 in between two 71s had left Lydia Ko three strokes off the lead at the start of the final round in 2024.

The two-time major champion and Olympic gold medallist closed in quietly, and found herself on the 17th fairway in a four-way tie for the lead.

Faced with a downpour and swirling winds, Lydia took a fairway wood from her bag and unleashed an outstanding shot which landed at the front of the green and rolled to within 20 feet of the pin from where she got down safely for a 4.

A birdie on 18 was applauded by the galleries – but the approach on 17 was just as crucial in her charge to victory.

Magic Moments (41-50)