The most recent leaderboard from the 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open— the season‑ending major for women’s golf—has been posted, showcasing the battle unfolding at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita returns to Royal Lytham & St Annes with a point to prove. She captured last year’s title after out‑shooting England’s Charley Hull and fellow Japanese competitor Minami Katsu by two strokes at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club.
Yamashita’s 2026 campaign on the LPGA Tour has already been impressive; she edged Lottie Woad in a dramatic playoff at the Meijer LPGA Classic in June and followed that with a tied‑fifth finish at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open the week before this major. At 24, Yamashita will face a field stacked with talent, headlined by world No. 1 Nelly Korda, who is eyeing the chance to complete a career Grand Slam by adding a fourth distinct major to her résumé at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The tournament also features home‑grown hopes Lottie Woad and Charley Hull, both of whom are eager to secure their first major triumph.
Hull, in particular, came agonisingly close at the U.S. Women’s Open in June, recording her fifth runner‑up finish in a major and intensifying her desire for that elusive victory. The venue itself carries a rich legacy.
Georgia Hall lifted the AIG Women’s Open trophy when the championship returned to Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2018, following Catriona Matthew’s win at the same course in 2009. The club’s links‑style layout, with its deep bunkers and undulating fairways, continues to test the precision and creativity of the world’s best female golfers. Weather forecasts suggest a mix of conditions throughout the week. The on‑site meteorologist predicts a slight chance of showers on Thursday, accompanied by breezy winds of 12‑18 mph with gusts up to 28 mph and a high of 21 °C (70 °F).
Friday should bring sunny intervals, though a brief shower remains possible; winds will ease to 10‑15 mph (gusts 20 mph) and temperatures will dip slightly to 20 °C (68 °F). Saturday and Sunday are expected to be partly cloudy, with winds gradually diminishing to 5‑10 mph and highs hovering around 20‑21 °C. Players will need to adapt their strategies to these shifting conditions, especially on the coastal links where wind can dramatically alter ball flight.
A total of 144 competitors have entered the field, including world No. 2 Jeongeun Lee (Thitikul) and world No. 3 Ha Ryu.
Ryu, fresh off victories at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June and the Evian Championship in July, is chasing a third major win of the season and will be a formidable contender. Detailed exemption criteria and the full roster of participants are available on the official AIG Women’s Open website. The tournament schedule begins with early tee times at 6:30 a.m.
on Thursday and Friday, with the first‑round pairings posted online. After the initial 36 holes, the cut will be applied, allowing the top 65 players and ties to continue into the weekend rounds. Exact tee times for the third round will be released on Friday night, while the final round’s schedule will be set after the cut line is confirmed. Broadcast coverage has expanded significantly this year.
Sky Sports Golf will deliver an additional six hours of live programming compared with the 2025 edition. Early coverage starts at 9 a.m.
on both Thursday and Friday, with full round coverage kicking in at 1 p.m. on each day.
The weekend action—Saturday and Sunday—will be broadcast from noon, and nightly highlights will air at 11 p.m. each tournament day.
Fans can watch the competition live via Sky Sports or stream the event through NOW without a contract, ensuring broad accessibility for viewers worldwide. In summary, the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes promises a compelling mix of seasoned champions, hungry newcomers, and unpredictable weather, all set against the backdrop of one of Britain’s most iconic links courses. Whether you are tracking the leaderboard, following your favorite player, or simply enjoying the drama of major‑level golf, the tournament offers a rich tapestry of stories that will unfold over the coming days.
Stay tuned for updates, watch the live coverage, and see who will ultimately claim the coveted title this year.