Charley Hull has tried to put a damper on any notion of a fierce rivalry with world No. 1 Nelly Korda as the AIG Women’s Open approaches, acknowledging that the string of close calls in major championships has been painful. The Englishwoman, currently ranked seventh in the world, is among the home‑grown hopefuls at Royal Lytham & St Annes, hoping to become the first English major champion since Georgia Hall lifted the trophy at the same venue in 2018. Hull’s résumé in majors reads like a series of near‑misses: two runner‑up finishes at the AIG Women’s Open in the past three years and five second‑place finishes overall, including a loss to Korda at the U.S.

Women’s Open in June. Those results have left her with a lingering sense of unfinished business.

In a pre‑tournament press conference Hull was candid about the situation. “I don’t really see it as a rivalry at the minute,” she said, adding a note of humility. “No offence, Nelly has already collected several majors and I have none.

I’ve got five second places. Let me get my major first and then we can talk about rivalry later.” Hull praised Korda’s game, describing it as “unbelievable” and noting that the American’s style of play is a joy to watch. She also highlighted Korda’s character, calling her “a nice girl.” The British golfer’s desire to break through is palpable.

“I just want to get over the line and win my first major,” Hull explained. “Five runner‑up finishes in majors kind of hurts. I remember walking past the trophies on the first day last year and thinking, ‘I wish that was me.’” Her words underline the emotional weight of repeatedly standing on the cusp of victory. Hull’s recent form has been a mixed bag.

While she finished second at the U.S. Women’s Open, that result is her only top‑15 finish in her last seven starts.

At the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open she posted a tied‑44th place after a disastrous quadruple‑bogey on the ninth hole of the opening round. She described the incident in vivid detail: a mis‑placed pin forced her birdie putt to roll off the green, leading to a nine‑stroke hole. “It was me, but the pin shouldn’t have been there,” Hull said, noting that the pin was positioned a yard from a steep slope, turning a relatively short putt into a nightmare. She texted the tournament commissioner immediately after the round, emphasizing that even top players can be felled by a single error.

Despite the setback, Hull tried to put a positive spin on the experience. “I thought it was a pretty good nine by the end of it. I holed a ten‑foot putt – I even fist‑bumped myself!” she recalled, showing the resilience that has kept her in contention at the highest level.

Another English contender, Lottie Woad, the highest‑ranked Englishwoman in the field, has also set her sights on the coveted title. The world No.

5 spoke passionately about the dream of winning a major on home soil, especially after the last two AIG Women’s Opens at Royal Lytham & St Annes were captured by British players. “For any British player, this would be the dream tournament to win,” Woad said. “I love links golf, the wind, the challenges – it’s a test I enjoy.” Woad highlighted the growing depth of British talent on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, noting that many of her friends are on the brink of turning professional or are wrapping up successful amateur careers.

She believes British golf is in a strong position, with a pipeline of promising players ready to make their mark. Her own record at the AIG Women’s Open includes top‑10 finishes in her two previous appearances, and she hopes to add another strong performance in what will be the final women’s major of the season, just before the Solheim Cup debut for Team Europe in September.

Both Hull and Woad echo a common sentiment about links golf: it demands a blend of skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. “Links golf is fun but tricky,” Woad added. “You need a little luck with the bounces and the wind.

I enjoy playing this type of golf because you only get a few chances a year, which makes those unique shots feel special.” For fans in the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open. This year the network introduced a new “Featured Groups” segment, offering additional live coverage that begins at 9 a.m.

on Thursday and Friday, with full coverage kicking off at 1 p.m. The weekend rounds will be shown from midday, providing six more hours of live action than ever before. As the tournament unfolds, the question on everyone’s mind is who will finally break through and claim the title.

With Hull determined to convert her runner‑up finishes into a victory, Korda looking to add another major to her collection, and Woad eager to make history for British golf, the stage is set for an exciting showdown at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Viewers can follow the action live on Sky Sports Golf or stream the coverage without a contract, ensuring that golf enthusiasts worldwide won’t miss a moment of the drama.