Players recognise AIG Women’s Open for its athlete-first approach, setting a new standard for women’s championships
The AIG Women’s Open has once again been named the Best Player Experience on the LPGA Tour, earning the Gold Driver Award for the second consecutive year. Voted for by LPGA players themselves, the award affirms the event’s place as one of the most thoughtfully delivered and athlete-focused tournaments in global golf—and a major point of pride for UK golf.
Held most recently at St Andrews, the Championship has become known for its commitment to player wellbeing, performance, and comfort both on and off the course. Its bespoke Clubhouse, introduced in 2022, now forms the heart of the event’s player services—housing everything from fitness and recovery to childcare and concierge support.
Setting the Bar in Player Support
Enhanced for 2025, this year’s facilities included a purpose-built gym staffed by a female strength and conditioning team, a cold-plunge pool and sauna, and dedicated medical and physio support from the European Tour Performance Institute. The Wellness Lounge, offering post-round decompression with Ishga relaxation beds and mindfulness tools, added to the sense of calm and focus.
The experience extended far beyond the fairways. Dining services ran 16 hours a day with multilingual menus tailored for performance and recovery, while additional amenities included a crèche, dry cleaning, spa treatments, and courtesy cars—all designed to support players and their families.
Zoe Ridgway, Championship Director at The R&A, said: “Retaining the Gold Driver Award is a real honour and all the more special because it is voted for by the players. Our aim is to create an environment that enables athletes to perform at their best, while showcasing what world-class women’s golf looks like in the UK.”
Looking Ahead to 2026 at Royal Lytham
The 2026 AIG Women’s Open heads to Royal Lytham & St Annes from 29 July to 2 August. As the UK’s major, the Championship continues to play a key role in The R&A’s broader efforts to grow women and girls’ golf under the Women in Golf Charter.
Tickets are on sale now from £17.50, with family-friendly offers including free entry for children under 16 (with a paying adult) and half-price youth tickets. Mastercard users can also claim an additional £5 discount.
For ticketing and hospitality details, visit aigwomensopen.com
