Women’s British Open Winners and History
The Women’s British Open was established in 1976 by the Ladies Golf Union, the governing body for women’s and girls’ amateur golf in Great Britain and Ireland. The event was intended to be the equivalent of the Open Championship but it was initially difficult to gain acceptance. Of the courses considered most prestigious in the Open Championship rota, Royal Birkdale was the only one to step forward.
The tournament’s difficulties continued to the point where it was forced to skip 1983. When it returned, it was to relatively unknown courses such as the Woburn Golf and Country Club, where it resided for ten years.
During the period from 1976 to 1993, the tournament was sanctioned only by the Ladies European Tour, with the exception of the 1984 edition, which was cosanctioned by the LPGA.
The LPGA’s sanction of the tournament in 1994 served to increase both in terest in the tournament and the quality of the field. Four years later, the event was held at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. It has since been held at Carnoustie, Royal Liverpool and St. Andrews—all courses which have hosted the Open Championship. The organizers of the Women’s British Open, however, have opted not to follow the lead of the Open Championship and limit the tournament to just the classic links courses.
In 2001, the LPGA granted the British Women’s Open Major status, replacing the du Maurier Classic.
For the updated list of British Women’s Open winners, follow the link.
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I thought the Women’s British was older than that. Also didn’t know that the LPGA didn’t sanction it until much later. I’m glad to see that American players traveled to the UK to play in it before the LPGA was involved.
Thanks for the great article.