World No. 1 Nelly Korda finds herself placed in a glittering group for the opening rounds of the AIG Women’s Open at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes course.
She will share the tee with back-to-back major champion Haeran Ryu, creating one of the most talked‑about pairings of the tournament. Korda entered the championship fresh off victories at the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ryu has already added the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship to her résumé. Their combined achievements mark the first occasion in the history of women’s golf that two players have captured multiple majors in a single season.
Both athletes are now eyeing a historic third major in the same calendar year – a feat last accomplished by Inbee Park in 2013. Ryu, who is chasing a third consecutive major title, tees off at 8:42 a.m. alongside Korda and 2024 champion Lydia Ko, forming a trio that promises high‑octane competition right from the start.
In another marquee grouping, Lottie Woad is set to make an early appearance as she strives to become the first Englishwoman to win a major since Georgia Hall’s triumph in 2018, also at Royal Lytham. Ranked fifth in the world, Woad will be paired with Japan’s Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee, creating a balanced three‑ball that blends experience with youthful vigor. Both of these high‑profile three‑balls will be featured in the new "Featured Group" coverage on Thursday, with Sky Sports Golf broadcasting live from 9:00 a.m. The defending champion, Japan’s Miyu Yamashita, will be placed on the opposite side of the draw, teeing off at 1:15 p.m.
alongside world No. 2 Jeongeun Lee (Thitikul) and American Lauren Coughlin.
Yamashita is chasing a rare back‑to‑back major win, a milestone not achieved since Yani Tseng. Charley Hull, another English contender, will also start in the late‑early half of the field. Hull, who has finished runner‑up twice at this venue in the past three years, will partner with Australia’s Hannah Green and Canada’s Brooke Henderson, forming a trio that blends consistency with aggressive play.
The tournament will feature a one‑tee start at 6:30 a.m. for the 144‑woman field, a format that allows the entire roster to begin play simultaneously, creating a dynamic and spectator‑friendly atmosphere.
England’s Alice Hewson will be the very first to hit a tee shot, kicking off the day’s action. Beyond the individual storylines, the AIG Women’s Open also serves as the final qualifying event 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 from the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Former champion Anna Nordqvist will then announce four captain’s picks live on Sky Sports News on Monday, completing the squad.
The announced groups are 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), Jeongeun Lee (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 retains exclusive broadcasting rights for the AIG Women’s Open across the UK and Ireland. This year, the network introduces "Featured Groups" coverage for the first time, adding roughly six extra hours of live golf to its schedule. The featured group segments will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, preceding the full‑field coverage that starts at 1:00 p.m.
Weekend rounds (three and four) will be shown live from midday onward, ensuring fans can follow every pivotal moment. For viewers who prefer streaming, Sky Sports offers a contract‑free option that grants access to the tournament as well as a broad library of other sports content. Golf enthusiasts can also explore special offers to book a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, making it easy to experience world‑class golf firsthand.
In summary, the AIG Women’s Open promises a compelling mix of seasoned champions, rising stars, and historic milestones. With Korda and Ryu leading a star‑packed early group, Hull aiming to convert past near‑misses into victory, and Yamashita chasing a rare consecutive major, the tournament is set to deliver drama, skill, and unforgettable moments for fans worldwide.
Tune in to Sky Sports Golf for comprehensive coverage and watch history unfold on the links of Royal Lytham & St Annes.