“I think it’s just keeping it out of the bunkers”: Catriona Matthew’s top tip ahead of the 50th AIG Women’s Open

Matthew famously triumphed on the Fylde coast in 2009, finishing three shots ahead of Karrie Webb 11 weeks after giving birth to her second child.

She was back at the club on Tuesday, when she played the final three holes alongside England star Mimi Rhodes.

Asked if being out on the course brought back some memories and what tips she had for this year’s hopefuls, Matthew responded: “I’d only been back maybe a couple of times since I won in 2009, and obviously playing the last three holes there, definitely coming up 18, you remember that walk up 18.

“I had a three-shot lead, so it was great. Walking up 18 still never gets old, looking, seeing the clubhouse in the background.

“I think they’ve taken some bunkers out since 2009, but it’s probably one of the best bunkered links courses that they play in the rota. I think it’s just keeping it out of the bunkers.

“I know everyone says that about links golf, but definitely here. It’s very well bunkered off the tees especially.

“I remember laying up, especially on those first, probably five or six holes, giving myself longer shots into the greens just to avoid the fairway bunkers.

“Like any links course, it will depend on the weather a little bit, but definitely staying out of the fairway bunkers.”

Matthew won the fourth Women’s Open to be played at Royal Lytham & St Annes, following on from Sherri Steinhauer’s victories in 1998 and 2006 as well as Annika Sorenstam’s success in 2003.

It was last held there in 2018, when England’s Georgia Hall finished two shots ahead of Pornanong Phatlum.

Asked if it was a course which helped home golfers, Matthew said: “I don’t know, actually. Obviously with myself and Georgia winning here, I don’t know whether that was just luck that we both happened to win here.

“I’m not sure. Maybe there’s a little bit more strategy. As I said, you’ve got to appreciate how difficult the bunkers are to get out of, the fairway ones, you lose basically stroke and distance.

“So is there a strategy you’ve got to lay up to them? I don’t know. I think we’re going to have a few good players vying for it.

“Obviously you’ll have Mimi, Charley (Hull), Lottie Woad, so hopefully we’ll see some British players up there.”

Rhodes, who tied 19th in last year’s event at Royal Porthcawl, was pleased at being able to tap into Matthew’s experience ahead of the 2026 tournament, which runs from July 30-August 2.

More than 50,000 fans are expected to attend across the four days, which will see golfers playing for an increased prize fund of $10m.

Money, however, won’t be a key consideration for Rhodes as she looks to build upon securing her spot on the LPGA Tour.

Speaking of her morning’s play with Matthew, Rhodes said: “It was good, especially to see the last three closing holes, which are going to be important obviously, and getting some tips and lines off the tee.

“I think here they’ll have some great crowds, they always do in this kind of area. It’s such a huge pool with Manchester and Liverpool, everywhere.

“I think it’s promoted really well here in the area. The R&A do a great job, IMG promoting the event, to get the fans out to watch it.

“Obviously it’s been shown more and more on TV over the years, which gets the interest, and I think hopefully they will get some good crowds out here.

“The players love playing in front of crowds. It’s much more fun playing in front of an audience and playing in front of a crowd than going out and there’s not that many people there.

“You definitely get more excitement, more adrenaline, when there are more people watching.

“You can’t complain about the purses. It’s doing really well. Women’s golf is doing really well with purses amount, coming from the LET (Ladies European Tour) especially.

“Honestly, it doesn't really change with how I play. I remember the first cheque I got when I played in the LET Access.

“It was my first top five or something and I was so excited for seven grand to come into my bank account.

“Honestly, now I’m just used to playing in that kind of environment and I mean, going out there and playing golf, you can’t really think about ‘if I come top 10, this is how much I'm going to win’.

“You’re never going to play with freedom with that kind of mindset. So I’ve just learned to deal with it and look at the purse when I finish on Sunday.”

As well as the increased prize fund, it was confirmed that there will be a 20 per cent increase in live broadcast hours compared to 2025.

That comes alongside improved players’ facilities as they compete to win the 50th staging of the event.

R&A chief executive Mark Darbon confirmed: “This includes improvements to our catering and performance nutrition offering with the introduction of a grab and go facility at the practice range, and an expanded offering of international options to better reflect our diverse field.

“In the performance and recovery area, we are introducing a second cold plunge pool and an enhanced sauna facility, creating a dedicated recovery space in the locker room and expanding the provision of our women’s and mental health services.

“We’re very proud to have won the LPGA’s Gold Driver Award for the best player experience for two consecutive years and we pride ourselves on offering all of the players present at our championship the best experience possible.”