Can Korda Replicate Her Major Success at the AIG Women’s Open?

As the 50th anniversary of the AIG Women’s Open approaches, golf fans are gearing up for a historic showdown at Royal Lytham & St Annes, broadcast live on Sky Sports. Among the contenders, Nelly Korda and Charley Hull stand out as the players most eager to add another major to their résumés.

This article outlines the key narratives to watch, the historical context, and the broader implications for the LPGA Tour this season. ## A Season Defined by Dual Dominance The current women's major season has been largely a two‑player affair. Nelly Korda has already secured two of the five majors – the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open – while South Korean star Ha‑Rin Ryu has captured the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Evian Championship.

Their simultaneous success marks the first time in LPGA history that two golfers have each won multiple majors in a single calendar year. ## Chasing an Exclusive Club Only six golfers – across both the men’s and women’s games – have ever won three majors in a single season. Those elite names include Ben Hogan (1953) and Tiger Woods (2000) on the men’s side, and Inbee Park (2013) as well as legends Babe Zaharias (1955), Mickey Wright (1961) and Pat Bradley (1986) on the women’s side. Korda and Ryu now have a chance to join that exclusive group by triumphing at the AIG Women’s Open.

## The Rolex ANNIKA Major Award The Rolex ANNIKA Major Award, presented annually to the LPGA player with the best major record for the year, is also at stake. Both Korda and Ryu are in contention, and a victory at Lytham could tip the scales decisively in one direction. The award, named after the great Annika Sörenstam, adds another layer of prestige to the tournament.

## Korda’s Unexpected Setback at the Evian One of the biggest surprises of the season came at the Evian Championship, where Korda missed the cut despite entering as a pre‑tournament favorite. The miss ended a remarkable streak of 34 consecutive cuts made and temporarily halted her pursuit of a career Grand Slam. Earlier in the year she had already claimed three different majors, positioning her just one win away from joining the exclusive Grand Slam club.

## The Grand Slam Quest In women’s golf, a career Grand Slam is defined as winning four of the five current majors, a standard that has shifted as tournaments have been added or removed from major status. Korda’s win at the U.S. Women’s Open gave her three distinct major titles, leaving the AIG Women’s Open as the final piece of the puzzle.

A victory would make her the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to achieve a career Grand Slam under the modern definition. ## Recent Form and Recent Results Korda finished tied for second behind Lydia Ko at the 2024 Open at St Andrews, and she posted a tied‑16th at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open this week. A win at Lytham would not only be her 20th LPGA Tour title but also her fifth major, securing the two points needed for automatic entry into the LPGA Hall of Fame.

## The Challenge from Miyu Yamashita While Korda’s story dominates the headlines, Japanese rising star Miyu Yamashita presents a credible threat. After a breakthrough win at the 2023 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl, where she edged out Charley Hull, Yamashita has added a Maybank Championship victory on the LPGA Tour and a dramatic playoff win at the Meijer LPGA Classic. Her recent form includes a top‑five finish at the Evian Championship and a share of fifth at the Scottish Open, indicating she is peaking at the right moment. ## British Hopefuls and Historical Context Royal Lytham & St Annes has a rich British legacy.

Catriona Matthew became Scotland’s first female major champion here in 2009, just weeks after giving birth to her second child. Georgia Hall claimed the title in 2018 with a two‑stroke margin. This year, Charley Hull is eager to break her own streak of five major runner‑up finishes, having been twice a runner‑up at Lytham in the past three years. Lottie Woad, who has already posted top‑10 finishes in her previous two AIG Women’s Open appearances, hopes to improve on those results.

## The Solheim Cup Implications The tournament also serves as a final proving ground for players vying for spots on Team Europe’s Solheim Cup roster. Captain Anna Nordqvist, who will serve as a non‑playing captain, is expected to announce her eight automatic qualifiers soon, followed by four captain’s picks. Players such as Chiara Tamburlini, Helen Briem, Agathe Laisne, Cara Gainer, Maja Stark, Celine Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant, Esther Henseleit, Leona Maguire, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Dewi Weber and Mimi Rhodes are all in contention, making every round of the Open crucial for their European ambitions.

## Sky Sports Coverage In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Sky Sports retains exclusive broadcasting rights for the AIG Women’s Open. For the first time, the network will offer "Featured Groups" coverage, beginning at 9 a.m.

on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m. The weekend rounds will be shown from midday, providing a total of six additional hours of live action compared with previous years. ## What to Expect With over 50,000 spectators expected throughout the week, the atmosphere at Royal Lytham & St Annes promises to be electric.

Fans will be watching closely to see whether Korda can rebound from her Evian disappointment and claim a third major of the season, whether Ryu can match her own stellar run, and whether a British player will finally break the recent drought of home‑grown champions. The outcome will not only shape the narrative of this historic 50th edition but also set the tone for the remainder of the 2026 LPGA season, influencing Hall of Fame calculations, award races, and Solheim Cup selections. In summary, the AIG Women’s Open is poised to be a landmark event, featuring a blend of seasoned champions, hungry newcomers, and national pride. Whether you are a casual fan or a dedicated follower of women’s golf, the storylines converging at Lytham this week guarantee compelling drama and, potentially, a new chapter in the annals of major‑championship history.