AIG Women's Open: How major continues 'unrecognisable' rise ahead of 50th anniversary at Royal Lytham & St Annes

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

Step forward a half-century and the tournament is unrecognizable to the one Jenny Lee Smith won at Fulford Golf Club in 1976, having evolved into one of the biggest events in the golfing calendar.

Whereas the inaugural edition saw professionals Vivien Saunders and Gwen Brandom among those contributing their own money towards the prize fund, the tournament has since gone from strength to strength with enhanced infrastructure and purse increases.