🏌🏽♀️Women in Golf: History, Key Competitions and Legendary Players🏆
- clairebambino
- Mar 12
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 16
The world of golf has long been a stage for remarkable talent and fierce competition, and women have played a pivotal role in shaping the sport's rich history. From the early pioneers who broke barriers to the modern-day champions who continue to inspire, women in golf have left an indelible mark on the game. This article delves into the fascinating history of women's golf, highlighting key competitions that have defined the sport, and celebrating the legendary players whose achievements have paved the way for future generations.
📆 Key Dates Shaping the History of Women's Golf
While women have been playing golf almost as long as men, their journey hasn't always been smooth. Early female golfers often faced social barriers and limited opportunities. Despite these obstacles, women like 👑 Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587), who is believed to have played golf in the 16th century, paved the way for future generations.
In the 19th century:
1811:🏴 the first recorded women’s golf tournament takes place in Musselburgh, Scotland, featuring local fishwives.
1867: the first women’s golf club, the ⛳️St. Andrews Ladies Putting Club, is founded in Scotland.
1893:🇬🇧 the Ladies Golf Union (LGU) is founded in the UK, organizing the first British Ladies Amateur Championship.
1894:🇺🇸 the first U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship is held, marking the beginning of organized women’s golf in the United States.
In the 20th century:
1932: the first U.S. Women’s Open is held, becoming one of the most prestigious tournaments in women’s golf.
1950: the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is founded by 13 pioneering women, including Babe Zaharias and Louise Suggs (1923-2015). This marks the beginning of professional women’s golf.
1953: Babe Zaharias (1911-1956) becomes the first woman to compete in a PGA Tour event, breaking barriers for female golfers.
1976: the Women’s British Open is established, later becoming one of the 5 major championships in women’s golf.
1978: 🇺🇸Nancy Lopez (1957-) wins 9 tournaments in her rookie year on the LPGA Tour, sparking a surge in popularity for women’s golf.
1990: the Solheim Cup is founded, creating a biennial team competition between the best female golfers from Europe and the United States. 🧐 The 2026 Solheim Cup will be held at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands from September 7-13, 2026.
In the 21st century:
2003:🇸🇪Annika Sörenstam made history by competing in the Bank of America Colonial tournament on the PGA Tour. This was a groundbreaking moment as she became the 1st woman to play in a PGA Tour event since Babe Zaharias competed in the Los Angeles Open back in 1945.
2007: 🇲🇽Lorena Ochoa becomes the 1st Mexican golfer, male or female, to reach world number 1. She held that position for an incredible 158 consecutive weeks, which is a record in women's golf.
2007:🇰🇷Se Ri Pak (1977-) is inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, recognizing her impact on the game and her role in popularizing golf in South Korea.
2016:🥇Women’s golf returns to the Olympics after a 116-year absence. Inbee Park 🇰🇷 wins the gold medal, further solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest female golfers of all time.
2019: the Augusta National Women’s Amateur is established, allowing top female amateurs to compete at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club.
2021: 🇺🇸Nelly Korda (1998-) reached the number 1 spot in the Women's World Golf Rankings, making her the first American woman to hold that position since Stacy Lewis in 2014. This was a significant achievement and definitely signaled a resurgence of American talent in women's golf.
⛳️ The 5 Major Championships in Women’s Golf
The Women’s Majors - just like in men's golf, the majors are the most coveted titles in women's golf. These include:
The Chevron Championship: founded in 1972, this is the first major of the year, typically played in the spring. Originally known as the ANA Inspiration, this tournament is famous for its iconic tradition of the winner jumping into Poppie’s Pond near the 18th green. 📍Location: varies (recently moved to The Club at Carlton Woods in Texas 🇺🇸).
🏆 2024 winner: 🇺🇸 Nelly Korda
🗓 The 2025 edition will be held on April 24-27 at The Club at Carlton Woods, the Woodlands, Texas.
The U.S. Women’s Open: founded in 1946 (this is the oldest of the women's majors). It is organized by the USGA (United States Golf Association). It is known for its challenging course setups and large prize purse.📍 Location: varies (rotates among top courses in 🇺🇸).
🏆 2024 winner: 🇯🇵 Yuka Saso
🗓 The 2025 edition will be held on May 28 - June 1 at Erin Hills, Wisconsin.
The Women's PGA Championship: founded in 1955, organized by the PGA of America (Professional Golfers' Association of America), this major is known for its strong field and difficult course conditions.📍 Location: varies (rotates among top courses in 🇺🇸).
🏆 2024 winner: 🇰🇷 Amy Yang
🗓 The 2025 edition will be held on June 19-22 at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco in Frisco, Texas.
The Evian Championship: the newest of the 5 majors (founded in 1994), organized by the Ladies European Tour. Known for its stunning Alpine backdrop.📍 Location: Evian Resort Golf Club in Évian-les-Bains, 🇫🇷.
🏆 2024 winner: 🇯🇵 Ayaka Furue
🗓 The 2025 edition will be held on July 10-13 at The Evian Resort Golf Club in Évian-les-Bains.
The Women’s British Open/AIG Women's Open: founded in 1976, organized by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (known as The R&A).📍 Location: varies (rotates among top courses in 🇬🇧).
🏆 2024 winner: 🇳🇿 Lydia Ko
🗓 The 2025 edition will be held on July 30 - August 3 at Royal Porthcawl, Wales. It will be the first time the Championship will have been held in Wales 🏴
These 5 tournaments are the pinnacle of women’s professional golf and offer the highest prize money, ranking points, and historical significance.
⭐️🏌🏼♀️ Women Golfing Legends
🇬🇧 Issette Pearson (1861-1941) was a pioneering figure in women's golf, instrumental in establishing the Ladies Golf Union (LGU) in 1893, the governing body for women's golf in Great Britain until 2017. As the LGU's first honorary secretary, she played a crucial role in standardizing rules, promoting the sport, and creating a handicap system that allowed golfers of varying abilities to compete together, including men and women. Pearson was also a skilled golfer herself, reaching the final of the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship twice. Her contributions extended beyond administration, as she authored and co-authored books on women's golf, further solidifying her legacy as a key figure in the sport's early development.
🇬🇧 Joyce Wethered (1901-1997) - dominating women's golf in the 1920s, she won the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship 4 times and the English Ladies' Championship 5 times. While she remained an amateur throughout her career, many considered her talent to be on par with, if not surpassing, the leading professionals of her time. Although she retired from competitive golf relatively early, her influence on the game, both in terms of playing style and sportsmanship, endured, solidifying her status as one of the greatest female golfers of all time.
🇺🇸 Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias (1911-1956) was an extraordinary American athlete who excelled in a variety of sports, achieving legendary status in golf. Before dominating the links, she earned Olympic gold medals in track and field at the 1932 Los Angeles Games. "Babe" was a founding member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and won 10 major championships, including three U.S. Women's Opens.
🇺🇸 Patty Berg (1918-2006), known for her fiery competitive spirit and her record-setting 15 major championship victories. A founding member of the LPGA, Berg was a charismatic and energetic player who played a significant role in popularizing women's professional golf. Her aggressive playing style and unwavering determination made her a formidable opponent, and she won the U.S. Women's Open once and the Women's PGA Championship a record eight times. Beyond her playing career, Berg was a tireless promoter of the game, conducting numerous clinics and inspiring generations of golfers.
🇺🇸 Louise Suggs (1923-2015), founding member of the LPGA, she won 11 major championships and 58 LPGA Tour events, solidifying her place among the game's elite. Her dominant amateur career included victories at the U.S. Women's Amateur and the British Ladies Amateur Championship. She served as LPGA president and was a tireless advocate for the growth of women's golf. Her induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, in 1979, cemented her legacy as one of the most important figures in the history of the sport.
🇺🇸 Mickey Wright (1935-2020) is widely regarded as one of the greatest female golfers of all time. Her powerful swing and exceptional ball-striking ability led to a dominant career in the 1950s and 60s, during which she won 13 major championships, including four U.S. Women's Opens and 4 LPGA Championships. While she retired relatively early due to foot problems, her impact on women's golf remains profound.
🇺🇸 Kathy Whitworth (1939-2022) was a legendary figure in women's golf, holding the record for most LPGA Tour wins with an astounding 88 victories, including 6 major championships. Known for her consistent play and remarkable longevity, Whitworth dominated the women's game for decades. Her smooth swing and exceptional course management allowed her to achieve remarkable success, and she was a dominant force throughout the 1960s and 70s.
🤑 🏆 Largest winner's purse in women's golf history?
Over the decades, prize money for women’s tournaments has grown significantly, though it still lags behind men’s golf. Media coverage and sponsorship deals have also improved, helping to raise the profile of women’s golf. Here are some of the top prizes won by female golfers:
$4 million at the 2024 CME Group Tour Championship for Jeeno Thitikul 🇹🇭.This tournament is the season-ending championship on the LPGA Tour and is known for having the largest purse in women's golf. This is the current record for the largest winner's purse in women's golf history.
$2,4 million at The U.S. Women’s Open 2024 for Yuka Saso 🇯🇵
$2 million at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open for Allisen Corpuz 🇺🇸
$1,8 million at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open for Minjee Lee 🇦🇺
$1,56 million at The Women's PGA Championship 2024 for Amy Yang 🇰🇷
$1,425 million at The Women’s British Open 2024 for Lydia Ko 🇳🇿
$1,2 million at 2024 The Chevron Championship for Nelly Korda 🇺🇸
$1,2 million at The Evian Championship 2024 for Ayaka Furue 🇯🇵
$1 million at the 2023 Evian Championship for Céline Boutier 🇫🇷
