Korda Drawn into Star-Studded Group as Hull Starts Late-Early

World No. 1 Nelly Korda finds herself placed in a glittering group that includes back-to-back major champion Haeran Ryu for the opening two rounds of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Both players have already etched their names into the record books this season: Korda captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ryu secured the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship. Their achievements mark the first time in the history of the sport that two golfers have amassed multiple major titles in a single campaign.

The stakes are high, as either Korda or Ryu could become the first golfer since Inbee Park in 2013 to claim three majors within a calendar year. Ryu, who is chasing a third consecutive major victory, tees off at 8:42 a.m. alongside Korda and 2024 champion Lydia Ko, creating a trio that promises intense competition and headline‑making moments.

Also featured in the early action is Lottie Woad, who is aiming to become the first Englishwoman to win a major since Georgia Hall’s triumph in 2018, a victory that also came at Royal Lytham. Ranked fifth in the world, Woad is paired with Japan’s Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee, forming another high‑profile three‑ball that will be highlighted in the tournament’s Featured Group coverage on Thursday. The live broadcast will commence on Sky Sports Golf at 9:00 a.m., giving fans a front‑row seat to the opening drama.

Defending champion Miyu Yamashita occupies the opposite side of the draw and is targeting a historic back‑to‑back major win—a feat not accomplished since Yani Tseng’s consecutive titles. Yamashita tees off at 1:15 p.m. with world No.

2 Jeongeun “Jeeno” Thitikul and England’s Lauren Coughlin, adding another layer of intrigue to the day’s schedule. Charley Hull, who has finished runner‑up on two of the last three occasions at this venue, will start later in the day. Hull is paired with Australia’s Hannah Green and Canada’s Brooke Henderson, both of whom have enjoyed recent success on the LPGA Tour.

Hull hopes to finally convert her near‑misses into a victory on the course where she has come so close before. The tournament also offers a glimpse into the upcoming Solheim Cup, as the AIG Women’s Open serves as the final qualifying event for European players. England’s Alice Hewson will open the field at 6:30 a.m., taking advantage of a one‑tee start that accommodates the 144‑player roster.

The European Solheim Cup team will be assembled from the top two players in the European points list, supplemented by the next six eligible golfers from the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Captain Anna Nordqvist will then announce four captain’s picks live on Sky Sports News on Monday, rounding out the squad. The confirmed European lineup includes: - Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Cassie Porter (Australia), Sayaka Takahashi (Japan) - Sei Young Kim (South Korea), Rio Takeda (Japan), Yuna Araki (Japan) - Hyojoo Kim (South Korea), Minjee Lee (Australia), Mao Saigo (Japan) - Lottie Woad (England), Aki Iwai (Japan), Andrea Lee (USA) - Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Nelly Korda (USA), Haeran Ryu (South Korea) - Miyu Yamashita (Japan), Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand), Lauren Coughlin (USA) - Charley Hull (England), Hannah Green (Australia), Brooke Henderson (Canada) - Maja Stark (Sweden), Jinhee Im (South Korea), Allisen Corpuz (Philippines) Sky Sports retains exclusive broadcasting rights for the AIG Women’s Open across the UK and Ireland.

This year, the network expands its coverage with Featured Group segments, delivering six additional hours of live golf compared with previous editions. The Featured Groups will roll out at 9:00 a.m.

on Thursday and Friday, preceding the full‑field broadcast that begins at 1:00 p.m. Weekend action—rounds three and four—will be shown live from midday onward. Fans eager to follow the tournament can watch the entire week on Sky Sports Golf, subscribe to the streaming service without a contract, or explore alternative platforms that carry the event.

Golf enthusiasts are also encouraged to book a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, with special pricing available through the network’s partner offers. In summary, the AIG Women’s Open promises a compelling blend of seasoned champions, rising stars, and historic milestones.

Whether it’s Korda and Ryu battling for a third major, Hull seeking redemption, or Yamashita attempting a rare consecutive win, the tournament is set to deliver memorable moments for players and spectators alike.