Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu have been the dominant forces in women’s major championships this season, but the question now is which of them, if either, will continue their winning streak at the AIG Women’s Open this week. It is unprecedented that two players have each secured multiple majors in a single season: Korda captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ryu added the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and then triumphed in a dramatic playoff at the Amundi Evian Championship. Both athletes are chasing a historic milestone.
They each hope to become the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to win three majors in a calendar year, and Ryu, in particular, is eyeing the rare feat of three consecutive major victories – a record last achieved by a Korean player. The tournament will be played at the storied Royal Lytham & St Annes, and the two stars have been paired together for the opening two rounds, placed on the early‑late side of the draw. Korda enters the event as the pre‑tournament favorite, with a chance to secure a fourth distinct major title and complete a career Grand Slam. "There’s no doubt that this year she [Korda] has become a different character – she seems genuinely happier with herself and is in a great mental place," former tour pro Trish Johnson told Sky Sports.
"She’s had an incredible season and everything has clicked for her. It will be an intriguing week because the course should suit her style. When she’s at her absolute best, in my view she is head and shoulders above the rest of the field." Korda’s best finish at the AIG Women’s Open came in 2024 at St Andrews, where she tied for second place behind Lydia Ko, who also teamed up with Ryu in a memorable three‑ball that week.
The upcoming championship promises to be a showcase of elite talent, and the broadcast platform adds another layer of excitement. Sky Sports remains the exclusive home of the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland, offering a new "Featured Groups" segment and six additional hours of live coverage compared with previous years. Beyond the headline battle between Korda and Ryu, other storylines are shaping the tournament narrative.
Japanese star Miyu Yamashita returns as the defending champion after her breakthrough win at Royal Porthcawl last year. Since that triumph, Yamashita has added two LPGA Tour titles to her résumé and is aiming to become the first player to win back‑to‑back women’s majors since Yani Tseng accomplished the feat in 2011.
"She [Yamashita] is playing superbly; she posted a top‑five finish at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open last week and this course will suit her down to the tee," Johnson added, highlighting Yamashita’s recent form and her comfort on links layouts. On the home front, England hopes to produce its first women’s major champion since Georgia Hall’s victory at the same venue. Lottie Woad and Charley Hull are the leading English contenders. Woad has recorded top‑10 finishes in each of her two previous AIG Women’s Open appearances, while Hull has been runner‑up in two of the last three editions.
Dame Laura Davies praised Hull’s consistency, noting, "She has five runner‑up finishes in majors, which shows she can go down the stretch. I can’t recall a time when she let a lead slip away; someone always catches up to her." Davies also expressed confidence in Woad, saying, "I’d put her among my real favourites. I love her calm demeanor and the way she handles the spotlight. She doesn’t get overly high or low, and on a links course you often face bad breaks.
If you manage those better than the rest, you could be the one standing with the trophies." The broadcast schedule is designed to give fans maximum access. Featured Groups coverage kicks off at 9 a.m.
on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage at 1 p.m. The third and fourth rounds will be shown live from midday over the weekend.
Viewers can watch the entire competition live on Sky Sports Golf, or stream the action without a contract through the network’s streaming service. In addition to the on‑course action, a host of pundits will provide analysis and predictions. The lineup includes: - Trish Johnson (commentating on Miyu Yamashita) - Richard Kaufman (also focusing on Yamashita) - Christina Kim (covering Lydia Ko) - Catriona Matthew (again on Yamashita) - Iona Stephen (highlighting Lottie Woad) - Sarah Stirk (also on Woad) - Sophie Walker (discussing Haeran Ryu) - Jamie Weir (again on Yamashita) - Ali Whitaker (talking about Nelly Korda) - Dame Laura Davies (providing insight on Minami Katsu) - Trish Johnson (also covering Gaby Lopez) - Richard Kaufman (on Shannon Tan) - Christina Kim (on Hannah Green) - Catriona Matthew (on Mimi Rhodes) - Iona Stephen (on Valentine Delon) - Sarah Stirk (on Aki Iwai) - Sophie Walker (on Allisen Corpuz) - Jamie Weir (on Lauren Coughlin) - Ali Whitaker (on Brooke Henderson) These experts will break down player form, course strategy, and potential outcomes, giving viewers a deeper understanding of the stakes. Overall, the AIG Women’s Open promises a thrilling mix of high‑profile rivalries, emerging talent, and historic opportunities.
Whether Korda secures her career Grand Slam, Ryu continues her run of consecutive majors, Yamashita defends her title, or an English hopeful finally breaks through, the tournament will deliver drama, skill, and memorable moments for golf fans around the world.