World No. 1 Nelly Korda finds herself placed in a glittering grouping for the opening two rounds of the AIG Women’s Open at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes course. Sharing the tee with back-to-back major champion Ha Ryun (often rendered as Haeran Ryu), the American star will face a formidable challenge right from the start. Korda entered the tournament riding a wave of recent triumphs, having secured victories at both the Chevron Championship and the U.S.
Women’s Open. Ryu, meanwhile, added the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship to her résumé, marking the first occasion in golf history that two players have each claimed multiple major titles within a single season.
Their parallel success has set the stage for a potential historic sweep: either could become the first golfer since Inbee Park in 2013 to capture three majors in a calendar year, with Ryu already eyeing a third consecutive major win. The early tee times are scheduled for 8:42 a.m., where Korda, Ryu, and the 2024 champion Lydia Ko will tee off together. Also in the early action is England’s rising talent Lottie Woad, who hopes to become the first Englishwoman to win a major since Georgia Hall’s 2018 victory at the same venue.
Woad, currently ranked fifth in the world, will be paired with Japan’s Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee. Both of these marquee three‑ball groups will be featured in the new "Featured Group" coverage on Thursday, with live broadcast beginning at 9 a.m.
on Sky Sports Golf. The defending champion, Japan’s Miyu Yamashita, will be placed on the opposite side of the draw, starting at 1:15 p.m.
alongside world No. 2 Jeongeun Lee (Thitikul) and American Lauren Coughlin. Yamashita is chasing a rare back‑to‑back major win, a feat not achieved since Yani Tseng’s consecutive titles. Charley Hull, another English favorite, will start in the later‑early half of the field.
Hull, who has finished runner‑up twice in the past three editions of the Open, will be paired with Australia’s Hannah Green and Canada’s Brooke Henderson, both of whom have multiple major wins of their own. This grouping gives Hull a realistic chance to finally break through and claim the coveted green jacket. The tournament employs a one‑tee start for its 144‑player field, with the first shot of the day being taken by England’s Alice Hewson at 6:30 a.m. This format ensures a smooth flow of play and allows the event to serve as the final qualifying opportunity for European players seeking a spot on the upcoming Solheim Cup team.
Team Europe’s composition will be determined by the Solheim Cup points standings and the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. The top two European players in the points race automatically qualify, followed by the next six highest‑ranked Europeans who have not already earned a place.
The remaining four spots will be filled by captain’s picks, which will be announced live on Sky Sports News on Monday. The provisional list includes: - Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Cassie Porter (Australia), Sayaka Takahashi (Japan) - Sei Young Kim (Korea), Rio Takeda (Japan), Yuna Araki (Japan) - Hyo‑joo Kim (Korea), Minjee Lee (Australia), Mao Saigo (Japan) - Lottie Woad (England), Aki Iwai (Japan), Andrea Lee (USA) - Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Nelly Korda (USA), Ha Ryun (Korea) - Miyu Yamashita (Japan), Jeongeun Lee (Thitikul) (Thailand), Lauren Coughlin (USA) - Charley Hull (England), Hannah Green (Australia), Brooke Henderson (Canada) - Maja Stark (Sweden), Jinhee Im (Korea), Allisen Corpuz (Philippines) Sky Sports retains exclusive broadcasting rights for the AIG Women’s Open across the UK and Ireland.
The introduction of Featured Group coverage adds a new dimension, offering viewers in‑depth analysis of the most compelling pairings. In total, Sky Sports will deliver six additional hours of live golf compared with previous years, beginning with the featured groups at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m.
onward. The third and fourth rounds will be broadcast live from midday over the weekend, ensuring fans can follow every pivotal moment. For those unable to watch via traditional television, Sky Sports also provides a streaming option with no contract required, allowing golf enthusiasts to catch the action on a variety of devices. Viewers can also explore special offers to book a round at any of the 1,700 affiliated courses across the UK and Ireland, making it easy to experience world‑class golf firsthand.
In summary, the AIG Women’s Open promises a thrilling opening day with a blend of seasoned champions and hungry newcomers. Whether it’s Korda and Ryu battling for a place in history, Hull seeking her breakthrough, or Yamashita aiming for a back‑to‑back major, the tournament offers a rich tapestry of storylines that will captivate fans worldwide.
Tune in to Sky Sports Golf for comprehensive coverage, and stay tuned for the unfolding drama as the world’s best women golfers vie for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.