Charley Hull has been candid about the perceived rivalry with world number one Nelly Korda as she prepares for the AIG Women’s Open, acknowledging that the string of near‑wins in major championships has been painful. Hull, who sits at seventh in the world rankings, is among the home‑grown hopefuls at Royal Lytham & St Annes, hoping to become the first Englishwoman to capture a major title since Georgia Hall lifted the trophy at the same venue in 2018. Hull’s résumé includes two runner‑up finishes at the AIG Women’s Open over the past three years, and a total of five second‑place finishes in majors overall. One of those second‑place finishes came at the U.S.
Women’s Open in June, where she was bested by Korda. Despite these close calls, Hull insists she does not view Korda as a personal adversary at this moment. "I don’t really see it as a rivalry right now," Hull said during her pre‑tournament press conference. "No offense, Nelly has already collected several majors and I still have none.
I’ve been on the verge five times. Let me get my first major first, and then we can talk about any rivalry later. What Nelly is doing for the game is unbelievable – it’s a joy to watch, and she’s a great person off the course as well." Hull’s comments highlight both admiration for Korda’s achievements and a deep yearning to break through her own barrier. She reflected on the emotional sting of repeatedly finishing second, recalling the image of last year’s champion’s trophy on the gallery walls and wishing it were her own.
"Five runner‑up finishes in majors really hurts," she admitted. "I remember walking onto the first day and seeing the trophy on display – I thought, ‘I wish that was me.’ I just want to cross that finish line and claim my first major." The AIG Women’s Open, now in its 50th edition, has seen a surge in interest and a dramatic evolution in its presentation. Sky Sports retains exclusive broadcast rights in the UK and Ireland, offering a new "Featured Groups" format that provides additional coverage and deeper insight into player groupings.
The tournament will commence with early‑day coverage on Thursday and Friday, followed by full live broadcasts of the third and fourth rounds over the weekend. Hull’s recent form has been a mixed bag.
While she secured a runner‑up finish at the U.S. Women’s Open, that performance stands as her only top‑15 finish in her last seven starts. At the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open, she posted a tied‑44th result after a disastrous quadruple‑bogey nine on the opening day. Hull explained the mishap, noting a misplaced pin that contributed to the costly mistake.
"It was me, but the pin shouldn’t have been there," she said. "My birdie putt rolled off the green because the pin was perched on a steep slope, about a yard from the edge.
I even texted the commissioner right after the round. Everyone makes errors, but that pin placement was a nightmare. I had a twelve‑foot birdie putt and ended up with a nine.
I had to chip four times up the slope, and then I mistakenly putted off the green. It just shows that even the world’s best can have a nine on a hole." Hull tried to put a positive spin on the experience, noting that she still managed to sink a ten‑foot putt afterward and even celebrated with a fist bump. The English contingent also includes Lottie Woad, the highest‑ranked English player in the field, who is targeting her own "dream" major victory. Woad has already recorded top‑10 finishes in her two previous AIG Women’s Open appearances and is eager to add a win to her résumé, especially after seeing fellow British players capture the title in recent years.
"For any British player, this would be the dream tournament to win," the world number five explained. "I love links golf – the wind, the undulating terrain – it’s a true test. It’s always been my favourite to watch, and I’d love to lift the trophy here." Woad also highlighted the growing depth of British and English talent on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour.
She mentioned several friends who are on the cusp of turning professional or are in the final stages of their amateur careers, underscoring a vibrant pipeline of future stars. "We have a lot more British and English players competing at the highest level now," Woad added. "The talent coming through is impressive, and I think British golf is in a great place." Both Hull and Woad will be looking to capitalize on the windy, unpredictable conditions that Royal Lytham & St Annes is famous for.
Links courses demand a unique skill set – the ability to shape shots, control trajectory, and adapt to shifting breezes. Players often speak of the mental challenge of managing the course’s natural hazards, such as deep bunkers and fast, firm greens.
The tournament also serves as a precursor to the Solheim Cup, which will see Team Europe make its debut in September. Performances at the Open could shape confidence and momentum heading into that prestigious team event. As the week unfolds, fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available for those without a traditional contract.
The expanded coverage promises more insight into player strategies, behind‑the‑scenes interviews, and in‑depth analysis of each round’s pivotal moments. In summary, Charley Hull approaches the AIG Women’s Open with a clear focus: secure her first major title and put an end to the string of near‑misses that have defined her recent career. While she respects Nelly Korda’s dominance and acknowledges the excitement Korda brings to the sport, Hull’s primary objective remains personal – to finally stand atop the leaderboard and bring the coveted trophy home. The tournament’s rich history, challenging links layout, and heightened media exposure make this week a pivotal chapter for Hull, Woad, and the broader field of elite women’s golfers.