World No. 1 Nelly Korda finds herself placed in a glittering group for the opening two rounds of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, sharing the tee with back-to-back major champion Haeran Ryu. Korda entered the tournament fresh off victories at the Chevron Championship and the U.S.
Women’s Open, while Ryu has already secured the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship this season. Their combined résumé marks the first occasion in the history of women’s golf that two players have amassed multiple major titles in a single campaign. Both athletes are now eyeing the rare feat of winning three majors in a calendar year – a milestone not achieved since Inbee Park did it in 2013.
Ryu, who is chasing a third consecutive major, tees off at 8:42 a.m. alongside Korda and 2024 champion Lydia Ko, creating a high‑profile trio that promises early drama for spectators.
In another notable early‑day pairing, Lottie Woad is set to tee off with world No. 5 Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee. Woad hopes to become the first Englishwoman to capture a major since Georgia Hall’s triumph in 2018, a victory that also came at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The three‑ball will be featured in the broadcast’s "Featured Group" segment on Thursday, with live coverage beginning at 9 a.m. on Sky Sports Golf. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita, who aims to become the first player since Yani Tseng to win consecutive women’s majors, will start later in the day at 1:15 p.m.
alongside world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul and Lauren Coughlin. Her performance will be watched closely as she seeks to cement her place in the sport’s modern history. Charley Hull, another English hopeful, also lands in the late‑early half of the draw.
Hull, who has finished runner‑up twice at this venue over the past three years, will be paired with Australian Hannah Green and Canadian Brooke Henderson. The trio represents a blend of experience and recent form, and their round will be part of the expanded Featured Group coverage, which gives fans more in‑depth analysis and camera work than ever before. The tournament features a one‑tee start for the 144‑woman field, with the first tee shot scheduled for 6:30 a.m. when England’s Alice Hewson steps onto the course.
This format ensures a smooth flow of play and allows the event to serve as the final qualifying opportunity for European players aspiring to earn a spot on the Solheim Cup team. Team Europe will be composed of the top two players from the European Solheim Cup points list, plus the next six eligible players based on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
Captain Anna Nordqvist will then announce four captain’s picks live on Sky Sports News on Monday, rounding out a squad that blends seasoned veterans with rising talent. The full group lineup is as follows: - 07:03 – Anna Nordqvist (SWE), Cassie Porter (AUS), Sayaka Takahashi (JPN) - 08:09 – Sei Young Kim (KOR), Rio Takeda (JPN), Yuna Araki (JPN) - 08:20 – Hyojoo Kim (KOR), Minjee Lee (AUS), Mao Saigo (JPN) - 08:31 – Lottie Woad (ENG), Aki Iwai (JPN), Andrea Lee (USA) - 08:42 – Lydia Ko (NZL), Nelly Korda (USA), Haeran Ryu (KOR) - 13:15 – Miyu Yamashita (JPN), Jeeno Thitikul (THA), Lauren Coughlin (USA) - 13:26 – Charley Hull (ENG), Hannah Green (AUS), Brooke Henderson (CAN) - 13:42 – Maja Stark (SWE), Jinhee Im (KOR), Allisen Corpuz (PHI) Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This year, the network has introduced Featured Groups coverage for the first time, adding roughly six extra hours of live golf to its schedule.
The Featured Groups segment will kick off at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, leading into full coverage that begins at 1 p.m. The third and fourth rounds will be streamed live from midday over the weekend, ensuring fans can follow every pivotal moment.
Beyond the on‑course action, the tournament offers viewers the chance to stream the event and other golf content without a long‑term contract, reflecting Sky Sports’ push toward flexible, on‑demand viewing. Golf enthusiasts can also explore discounted rates for playing at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, with an easy online search tool to locate nearby facilities. In summary, the AIG Women’s Open promises a compelling mix of established champions, hungry newcomers, and historic stakes.
Whether you are rooting for Korda and Ryu to chase a third major, hoping for a breakthrough by Lottie Woad, or watching Miyu Yamashita attempt an unprecedented back‑to‑back major win, the tournament offers a rich tapestry of storylines. Tune in to Sky Sports Golf for comprehensive coverage, and enjoy the blend of tradition and innovation that defines one of women’s golf’s premier events.