'A magnificent event'

The AIG Women’s Open today is unrecognisable from how it was when the Championship was first staged 50 years ago.

From the number of professionals in the field to the prize money on offer there is almost no comparison between 1976 and this landmark year of 2026.

“The progression has been amazing,” said Sherri Steinhauer, one of only two players to have won the AIG Women’s Open three times.

Just five professionals teed it up at Fulford in 1976, among a field dominated by amateurs – all doing battle for the $500 purse.

Whereas, more than 140 players will compete at Royal Lytham & St Annes later this month, hoping for a share of the record £10 million prize fund.

“Everything is progressing in the right direction,” said Sherri, “and I’m sure it will continue.

“The standard of the players is simply amazing, prize money keeps growing, and the courses on the roster are the best of the best.

“It really is a magnificent golf event.”

Sherri won the AIG Women’s Open for the first time at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1998 and successfully defended her title at Woburn 12 months later.

She lifted the trophy for the third time in 2006, once again in Lytham.

And while Karrie Webb is the only golfer to match Sherri’s amazing feat, the American great believes the standard of women’s golf today is on a totally different level to when she was at the top of her game.

“I feel very lucky to have won this tournament three times – especially twice at Royal Lytham,” she said.

“But women’s golf has changed an awful lot since my day. You look at the players’ routines these days, with all the work in the gym, their diet, all things like that.

“When I played, we all kind of travelled around together and had a lot of fun.

“I had a sports psychologist [Dr Bob Rotella] and a swing coach [Manuel de la Torre] but today the players are travelling around with a full team of people. There’s a whole entourage that travels with them now.”

This full-time professionalism has allowed the likes of Charley Hull and four-time major winner Nelly Korda to become household names.

It has also helped to increase the talent pool and raise standards across the sport.

“Look at all the swings on the LPGA Tour,” said Sherri.

“I think that every swing is so solid, so strong. They’re hitting the ball so much further than when I played.

“The level of play is outstanding and it’s really fun to watch.

“As a former Tour player it’s so satisfying to see these levels increasing all the time. We have some huge names in golf now and they’re doing so much to improve the game.

“It’s just terrific.”