Charley Hull has made it clear that she does not view her relationship with world No. 1 Nelly Korda as a rivalry, especially as she prepares for the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Hull, currently ranked No. 7 in the world, is among the leading English hopefuls hoping to become the first Englishwoman to capture a major title since Georgia Hall’s breakthrough win at the same venue in 2018. Hull’s résumé in majors is a mixture of promise and frustration. In the past three years she has finished runner‑up twice at the AIG Women’s Open and has accumulated five second‑place finishes in major championships overall, including a recent loss to Korda at the U.S.

Women’s Open in June. During her pre‑tournament press conference Hull said, "I don’t really see it as a rivalry at the minute, because no offence, Nelly has got however many majors and I’ve got none. I’ve got five second places.

Let me get my major in first and then that’s something we can think about in the future. What Nelly is doing for the game of golf is unbelievable and so good to watch – she’s a nice girl, as well." Hull’s honesty about the sting of repeatedly finishing just short of victory resonated with many fans. She recalled walking past the trophy display on the first day of last year’s Open and thinking, "I wish that was me." Those moments of near‑miss have become a driving force for her, and she emphasized that her primary goal remains to cross the finish line first in a major tournament.

The AIG Women’s Open, the final major of the 2026 season, offers Hull a familiar but challenging setting. The links course at Royal Lytham & St Annes is known for its deep bunkers, undulating fairways and wind‑swept conditions that test every facet of a player’s game.

Hull’s recent form, however, has been mixed. While she posted a tied‑44th place at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open after a disastrous quadruple‑bogey nine on the opening round, that was her only top‑15 finish in her last seven starts. Hull explained the mishap in detail, noting that a misplaced pin forced her to attempt a birdie putt that rolled off the green.

"It was me, but the pin shouldn’t have been there," she said, adding that she immediately texted the tournament commissioner after the round. She described the situation: "The pin was about a yard from a massive slope and it was on a downslope going towards a slope. I had a 12‑foot birdie putt and walked off with a nine.

I had four chips up the slope, but I shouldn’t have putted off the green. It just shows that I’m human and even the world No. 1 can make a nine." Despite the setback, Hull tried to stay positive, noting that she managed to sink a ten‑foot putt later in the round and even celebrated with a fist‑bump. Her candidness about the error underscores the fine margins that separate triumph from disappointment in elite golf.

Another English contender, Lottie Woad, the highest‑ranked Englishwoman in the field, is also targeting a dream major victory. Woad, currently world No.

5, has previously finished in the top ten at the AIG Women’s Open and believes the links venue offers a unique test that she enjoys. "I think for any British player, this would be the dream one to win," she said. "I like playing links golf and I’m sure it’ll be a good test with the wind, probably, so definitely one that has always been my favourite watching.

Yeah, would love to win it." 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 cusp of turning professional. She expressed optimism about the future of British golf, stating, "I think British golf is in a great spot." The tournament will be broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, with a new "Featured Groups" format offering additional live coverage. The first two days will feature group‑focused highlights starting at 9 a.m., followed by full coverage from 1 p.m., and the weekend rounds will be shown live from midday.

As the week unfolds, the central question remains: who will finally break through and claim the coveted Claret Jug? Hull hopes to turn her series of runner‑up finishes into a victory, while Korda aims for a fifth major title of the season. The competition promises high drama, strategic shot‑making, and the ever‑present challenge of the coastal winds. Golf enthusiasts can follow the action live on Sky Sports Golf or stream the coverage without a contract.