Three-time champion Sherri Steinhauer says the AIG Women’s Open has changed beyond recognition in its 50-year history.

As the women's golf spectacular celebrates its milestone at Royal Lytham & St Annes two weeks from now, who better to reflect on its growth than American Steinhauer?

The only to player to lift the trophy twice on the Fylde coast, Steinhauer's record of three Women's Open triumphs is equalled only by Australian Karrie Webb and she continues to play on the Legends Tour at 63.

Sherri Steinhauer is the only player to have won the Women's Open twice at Royal Lytham & St Annes Photo: GETTY IMAGES

The first of those victories came the first time the Women's Open was staged at RL&SA in 1998 and Steinhauer told organisers the R&A: “The progression has been amazing 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.”

The field for the first Women's Open at Fulford in 1976 contained only five professionals competing for a prize fund for $500. At the end of this month, 140 players will battle it out for a record purse of £10m.

Steinhauer defended her title in 1999 at Woburn, completing her hat-trick seven years later back at RL&SA.

But she admits the standard of play is at a totally different level two decades on: “I feel very lucky to have won this tournament three times, especially twice at Royal Lytham,” she added.

“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 and a swing coach but today the players are travelling with a full team of people, a whole entourage.

“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.

“We have some huge names in golf now and they’re doing so much to improve the game.”

The AIG Women’s Open will be contested at RL&SA for the sixth time from July 30-August 2.

In the ladies' summer meeting at Fairhaven Golf Club, players took part in the Freda Fletcher Salver, a fourth lady captain’s qualifier and the Frances Smith Trophy.

Division one was won by Gill Jakeman (73), ahead of Sue Crowther (74).

Wendy Lake (67) topped division two, with Adele Thompson (68) in second place.

Edwina Gillett (68) headed division three and Lynden Walthew (73) was runner-up.

Gillett’s performance secured back-to-back victories in the Freda Fletcher Salver.

Marjorie Monk (66) won the Silver Spoon and Lake the Frances Smith event, going on to represent Fairhaven at Lytham Green Drive.

Monica Grimshaw won a nine-hole Stableford (21 points) and Anne Lodge was runner-up (19).

Victory in the men’s captain’s fourth qualifier went to David Jackson (68). Mike Cass, Liam Traynor and Stephen Rose all shot 71 to top divisions one, two and three respectively.