Charley Hull has been candid about the perceived rivalry with world No. 1 Nelly Korda as the AIG Women’s Open approaches, acknowledging that the string of near‑victories in major championships has been painful. The English golfer, currently ranked seventh globally, is among the favorites at Royal Lytham & St Annes and hopes to become the first Englishwoman to capture a major since Georgia Hall triumphed at the same venue in 2018.
Hull’s résumé includes two runner‑up finishes at the AIG Women’s Open over the past three years and a total of five second‑place finishes in majors, the most recent coming at the U.S. Women’s Open in June where she was bested by Korda.
Despite these close calls, Hull insists she does not view Korda as a personal nemesis. "I don’t really see it as a rivalry at the minute, because no offence, Nelly has got however many majors and I’ve got none," Hull said at a pre‑tournament press conference.
"I’ve got five second places. Let me get my major in first and then that’s something we can think about in the future. What Nelly is doing for the game of golf is unbelievable and so good to watch — she’s a nice girl, as well." Hull’s remarks underline a broader truth about elite competition: success often arrives after a series of hard‑won lessons. She reflected on the emotional toll of repeatedly finishing just short of the trophy, recalling how she would stare at the winner’s photo on the first day of a tournament and imagine herself holding the cup.
"Five second‑place finishes in majors kind of hurts," she admitted. "I remember looking at the posters walking in on the first day from last year and was like ‘oh, I wish that was me’ with the trophy." The upcoming AIG Women’s Open marks a pivotal moment for Hull.
Her most recent form has been mixed; while she posted a tied‑44th at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open, that result came after a dramatic quadruple‑bogey nine on the opening day. Hull explained the mishap, saying, "It was me, but the pin shouldn’t have been there. I texted the commissioner straight after the round.
At the end of the day I know everyone f***s up, but the pin was about a yard from a massive slope and it was on a downslope going towards a slope. I’ve had a 12‑foot putt for birdie and walked off with a nine. I had four chips up the slope, but I shouldn’t have putted off the green. It just shows that I’m human and even the world No.
1 can make a nine." Hull tried to put a positive spin on the experience, noting, "I thought it was a pretty good nine by the end of it. I holed a ten‑foot putt — I think I even fist‑bumped!" The candid admission highlights the thin line between triumph and disappointment that even top professionals navigate daily.
Beyond Hull, the field features other British contenders eager to make history. Lottie Woad, the highest‑ranked Englishwoman in the tournament, expressed her dream of winning at Royal Lytham, especially after the last two editions were claimed by British players.
"I think for any British player, this would be the dream one to win," the world No. 5 said. "I like playing links golf and I’m sure it’ll be a good test with the wind probably, so definitely one that has always been my favourite watching.
Yeah, would love to win it." Woad also highlighted the growing depth of talent in British and English golf, noting a surge of players transitioning from the amateur ranks to the LPGA and Ladies European Tours. She believes the pipeline is strong and that the upcoming Solheim Cup in September will further showcase Europe’s rising stars. The AIG Women’s Open will be broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, with an expanded "Featured Groups" segment that begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m.
The weekend rounds will receive midday live broadcasts, offering viewers more than six additional hours of live golf compared with previous years. As the tournament unfolds, the central narrative will revolve around whether Hull can finally convert one of her numerous close calls into a victory, and how Korda, who has already secured the first two majors of the year, will respond to the challenge.
Both athletes embody the next generation of women’s golf, combining skill, determination, and a willingness to push the sport forward. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Golf or stream the coverage without a contract, ensuring that the drama of the final women's major of the season reaches a global audience. Whether Hull breaks through or Korda adds another trophy to her collection, the AIG Women’s Open promises to deliver compelling storylines, high‑stakes competition, and a showcase of the finest talent in women’s golf today.