The most recent leaderboard from the 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open – the season‑ending major on the women’s tour – is now available, with the competition taking place at the storied Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita returns to Royal Lytham & St Annes with a chance to retain her title.
Last year she edged out England’s Charley Hull and fellow Japanese competitor Minami Katsu by two strokes at the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club to claim the championship. Yamashita’s 2026 campaign on the LPGA Tour has been impressive; she captured the Meijer LPGA Classic in June after a dramatic playoff victory over Lottie Woad, and she posted a tied‑fifth finish at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open just a week ago. At 24, Yamashita will face a formidable roster that includes world No.
1 Nelly Korda, who is eyeing a career Grand Slam by adding a fourth distinct major to her résumé at this venue. The field also features home‑grown hopefuls Lottie Woad and Charley Hull, both of whom are eager to secure their first major triumph.
Hull, in particular, came agonisingly close at the U.S. Women’s Open in June, recording her fifth runner‑up finish in a major and intensifying her desire for a victory.
Royal Lytham & St Annes has a rich history in the Women’s Open. Georgia Hall captured the championship here in 2018, following Catriona Matthew’s win at the same course in 2009.
The tournament’s on‑site meteorologist predicts a mix of weather conditions throughout the week, with occasional showers and variable winds that could influence scoring. The forecast details are as follows: - Thursday: Slight chance of an odd shower, winds 12‑18 mph (gusts up to 28 mph), high 21 °C (70 °F). - Friday: Mostly sunny with a chance of a shower, winds 10‑15 mph (gusts 20 mph), high 20 °C (68 °F).
- Saturday: Partly cloudy, winds 9‑13 mph, high 21 °C (70 °F). - Sunday: Partly cloudy, winds 5‑10 mph, high 20 °C (68 °F).
A total of 144 competitors have qualified for the event, featuring top‑ranked players such as world No. 2 Jeongeun Lee (Thitikul) and world No. 3 Haeran Ryu.
Ryu is targeting her third major of the season after victories at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June and the Evian Championship in July. Detailed exemption criteria and the confirmed field list are available on the official AIG Women’s Open website. Tournament play will kick off at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, with the opening‑round tee times posted online.
Weekend tee times will be adjusted based on the number of players who make the cut, while third‑round pairings will be released on Friday night. After the first 36 holes, the cut will be applied to the top 65 players and ties, determining who advances to the final two rounds. Broadcast coverage has expanded significantly this year. Sky Sports Golf will provide six additional hours of live programming compared with 2025.
Early coverage begins at 9 a.m. on both Thursday and Friday, with full-round broadcasts starting at 1 p.m. on each day.
The third and fourth rounds will be shown from noon on Saturday and Sunday, and nightly highlights will air at 11 p.m. each tournament day. Golf fans can also stream the action contract‑free via NOW, or watch live on Sky Sports with a subscription. Beyond the on‑course action, the tournament offers numerous storylines: Yamashita’s attempt to become a back‑to‑back champion, Korda’s pursuit of a career Grand Slam, Hull’s quest to finally break her major‑runner‑up streak, and Ryu’s bid for a third major in a single season.
The unpredictable British coastal weather adds another layer of drama, as players must adapt to shifting wind patterns and occasional rain. For those following the event, the latest news, video highlights, and a recap of Yamashita’s 2025 major victory are regularly updated on the AIG Women’s Open platform. Viewers are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback.
As the world’s elite women golfers converge on Royal Lytham & St Annes this week, the stage is set for a compelling finale to the 2026 women’s major season. Whether you are a casual fan or a seasoned follower of the sport, the AIG Women’s Open promises high‑stakes competition, memorable moments, and the potential for historic achievements.
Stay tuned, watch the live coverage, and witness who will etch their name into the annals of women’s golf history.