The opening day of the 50th AIG Women’s Open will see the field of 144 competitors tee off at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, with a full schedule of pairings and start times released for the first round. The tournament, the final women’s major of the 2026 season, promises a mix of seasoned champions, rising stars, and promising amateurs, all vying for the coveted title.
Defending champion Miyu Yamashita heads out in the late‑early wave, hoping to become the first player to retain the Open since Yani Tseng. Yamashita will be paired with world number two Jeeno Thitikul and England’s Lauren Coughlin, creating a high‑profile trio that will draw considerable attention from fans and broadcasters alike.
The Japanese star’s experience and composure will be tested against the youthful vigor of Thitikul, a rising talent from Thailand who has already amassed several victories on the Ladies European Tour. Two of the season’s most successful major winners have been placed together for the first two days of competition.
World number one Nelly Korda, currently enjoying a dominant run on the LPGA Tour, will share a group with South Korean prodigy Haeran Ryu and former world No. 2 Lydia Ko of New Zealand. This early‑morning grouping is scheduled to start at 8:42 a.m.
BST and will be featured in an extended three‑ball coverage segment on Sky Sports Golf, giving viewers an in‑depth look at the strategic interplay among the three top‑ranked players. On the opposite side of the draw, England’s Lottie Woad will launch her quest for a maiden major title alongside Japan’s Aki Iwai and fellow Englishwoman Andrea Lee. Their group, teeing off at 8:31 a.m., will be part of the Featured Groups coverage that begins at 9:00 a.m.
on Thursday. Across the fairways, Charley Hull, a former Open champion, will be paired with Australia’s Hannah Green and Canada’s Brooke Henderson, forming a strong international contingent that underscores the global nature of the event. The schedule lists every pairing in precise order, beginning with the earliest tee times at 6:30 a.m. and progressing through the day in half‑hour intervals.
The first group features Alice Hewson (England), Amanda Doherty (England) and Chloe Williams (Wales). The list continues with players from a wide range of nations, including Amelia Garvey (New Zealand), Leonie Harm (Germany), Smilla Tarning Sonderby (Denmark), Wei Ling Hsu (Chinese Taipei), Aditi Ashok (India), Darcey Harry (Wales), and many others. Amateur participants are marked with an (x) beside their names, highlighting the Open’s tradition of giving promising non‑professionals a chance to compete on the world stage.
Key moments to watch include the three‑ball featuring Korda, Ryu and Ko, as well as the early‑morning showdown between Yamashita, Thitikul and Coughlin. Both groups contain players who have already demonstrated the ability to win under pressure, and their performances on the notoriously challenging links at Royal Lytham will set the tone for the rest of the tournament. The course, known for its deep bunkers, undulating fairways and coastal winds, demands precise shot‑making and strategic course management, traits that will separate the eventual champion from the rest of the field. Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster for the Open in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and this year it is expanding its coverage with Featured Groups, offering six additional hours of live action compared with previous editions.
The Featured Groups segment will provide a closer look at selected pairings, including live commentary, player interviews, and on‑course analysis. Full coverage of the first round begins at 1:00 p.m. BST, after the Featured Groups have aired, and will continue throughout the weekend with live broadcasts of the third and fourth rounds starting at midday on Saturday and Sunday.
For fans watching from abroad, all times are listed in British Summer Time (BST) unless otherwise noted. The schedule also includes a note that some players are listed with their country of origin, and amateurs are indicated with an (x). Viewers are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience, ensuring smooth streaming of the live action. Beyond the on‑course action, the Open’s organizers have highlighted additional ways for golf enthusiasts to engage with the event.
Viewers can stream the majors and other golf content without a long‑term contract, and they can also explore special offers for booking rounds at over 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The website provides a search function for entering a course name, city, or postal code, though users may need to try alternative queries if no results are found. In summary, the first‑round pairings at Royal Lytham set the stage for a dramatic and highly competitive AIG Women’s Open. With a blend of defending champions, world‑number‑one players, and emerging talents, the tournament promises compelling storylines from the very first tee.
Whether you are a seasoned golf follower or a casual viewer, the Featured Groups coverage and extensive live broadcast schedule ensure that you won’t miss a moment of the action. Tune in to Sky Sports Golf throughout the week to follow the pursuit of what could become a historic back‑to‑back victory for Miyu Yamashita, or to witness a new champion emerge from the deep field of world‑class competitors.