Lydia Ko has openly declared that she intends to "tap into her inner Foxy" as she sets her sights on another major victory for New Zealand at the AIG Women’s Open. The inspiration for this bold statement came after she was moved to tears by compatriot Ryan Fox’s dramatic win at The Open earlier this month. Fox captured the men’s Open title in a thrilling fashion at Royal Birkdale, clinching a one‑shot victory with a birdie on the final hole.
His triumph marked only the third time a New Zealander has secured a men’s major championship, and it was the first Open win for the country since the legendary Bob Charles lifted the Claret Jug in 1963 at Royal Lytham & St Annes – the very same venue where Ko will now contend for her fourth major and a second AIG Women’s Open crown. Speaking at her pre‑tournament press conference, the 29‑year‑old Ko said, "I would love to keep the dice rolling. I’m super‑excited for Foxy [Ryan Fox] and for all of New Zealand golf after his win at Royal Birkdale.
I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous and this thrilled watching someone else play. His back‑nine performance over the weekend was simply incredible. It would be amazing to channel my inner Foxy and bring that same fearlessness to my own game over the next few days." Fox’s victory was a story of resilience.
After being eight strokes behind the halfway leader, he posted a historic third‑round 62, equalling the lowest score ever recorded in a men’s major, and left the final day just two shots off the lead. He then birdied two of his last three holes to seal the championship, a finish that left Ko watching from the west coast of the United States, trying to stream the event on her phone after her television failed to pick up the feed.
Ko recalled the emotional roller‑coaster, "I went to work out and kept asking people to turn on The Open. It never came on the TV, so I watched it on my phone. I can’t remember my workout at all because my whole focus was on Ryan.
I took an Uber back home, and as soon as I arrived I saw his drive on the 18th. I was relieved and pumped at the same time. I closed the door, screamed, and my husband ran out asking what was happening.
Ten seconds later I was crying. It was an emotional moment for me, and I can only imagine how he felt." Ko’s own major record this season has been a mix of disappointment and resurgence. She missed the cut in the first two women’s majors of the year, but rebounded with a tied‑15th finish at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship after a slow start, followed by a shared seventh place at the Amundi Evian Championship.
Now, she lines up alongside fellow major winners Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu – both multiple major champions in 2026 – as she prepares for the opening two rounds of the AIG Women’s Open. Ko is fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead; the course at Royal Lytham & St Annes has been re‑configured, and she describes it as the toughest Women’s Open she has ever played.
"Winning would be incredibly special," Ko explained. "This feels like the hardest Women’s Open I’ve ever contested.
When I played in 2018, I remember being in a lot of bunkers that are now part of my memory bank. The course now feels almost brand new. They’ve made a few adjustments to a couple of holes, but it remains a demanding layout.
Even on a perfect day it plays tough. To win on a course of this calibre would make me feel exceptionally proud." She added, "With Foxy having won The Open, a victory for me would be deeply meaningful and would empower golf throughout New Zealand. It would show that our nation can produce champions on both the men’s and women’s sides of the sport." In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Sky Sports continues to be the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open.
This year, the network introduced Featured Groups coverage for the first time, adding six extra hours of live golf to its schedule. The Featured Groups segment kicks off at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, with full coverage beginning at 1 p.m.
The third and fourth rounds will be broadcast live from midday over the weekend, giving fans ample opportunity to follow the drama as it unfolds. As the tournament progresses, viewers can tune in throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf or stream the action via the Sky Sports platform without a contract. The question on everyone’s mind remains: who will lift the AIG Women’s Open trophy? With Ko channeling the fearless spirit of Ryan Fox and aiming to add another major to her résumé, the competition promises to be a compelling blend of skill, determination, and national pride.