World No. 1 Nelly Korda has been placed in a high‑profile grouping for the opening rounds of the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, sharing the tee with back‑to‑back major champion Haeran Ryu.
The pairing marks a rare convergence of two of the sport's most successful players in a single group, underscoring the depth of talent on display at this year’s championship. Korda entered the tournament after a stellar season that saw her capture both the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open.
Ryu, meanwhile, added the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship to her résumé, making history as the first duo to claim multiple majors in a single season. Their joint presence on the first two days sets up a compelling narrative: either player could become the first golfer since Inbee Park in 2013 to secure three major titles 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.
Also featured in the early action is England’s Lottie Woad, who is hoping to become the first Englishwoman to win a major since Georgia Hall’s 2018 triumph at the same venue. Ranked fifth in the world, Woad will be grouped with Japan’s Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee, forming another marquee three‑ball that promises exciting golf from the outset. Both of these high‑profile groups will be highlighted in the new "Featured Groups" coverage on Thursday, with live broadcasts beginning at 9:00 a.m.
on Sky Sports Golf. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita will be positioned on the opposite side of the draw, aiming to become the first back‑to‑back women’s major winner since Yani Tseng.
Yamashita tees off at 1:15 p.m. with world No. 2 Jeongeun Lee (Thitikul) and Lauren Coughlin of the United States. Charley Hull, another English favorite, is slated for the later‑early half of the field.
Hull has finished as runner‑up at this venue twice in the past three years and will be paired with Australian Hannah Green and Canadian Brooke Henderson, both of whom have multiple LPGA victories and extensive major experience. Hull’s placement offers her a chance to finally break through and claim the title that has eluded her for so long. The tournament’s schedule features a one‑tee start for the 144‑player field, with the first tee shot at 6:30 a.m. belonging to England’s Alice Hewson.
The AIG Women’s Open also serves as the final qualifying event for European players hoping to earn a spot on the Solheim Cup team. Team Europe will be composed of the top two players in the European Solheim Cup points list, plus the next six highest‑ranked Europeans on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings who have not already qualified. Captain Anna Nordqvist will announce four captain’s picks live on Sky Sports News on Monday. The complete groupings for the opening day are as follows: - 07:03 a.m.: Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Cassie Porter (Australia), Sayaka Takahashi (Japan) - 08:09 a.m.: Sei Young Kim (South Korea), Rio Takeda (Japan), Yuna Araki (Japan) - 08:20 a.m.: Hyojoo Kim (South Korea), Minjee Lee (Australia), Mao Saigo (Japan) - 08:31 a.m.: Lottie Woad (England), Aki Iwai (Japan), Andrea Lee (USA) - 08:42 a.m.: Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Nelly Korda (USA), Haeran Ryu (South Korea) - 13:15 p.m.: Miyu Yamashita (Japan), Jeongeun Lee (Thailand), Lauren Coughlin (USA) - 13:26 p.m.: Charley Hull (England), Hannah Green (Australia), Brooke Henderson (Canada) - 13:42 p.m.: 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.
The new Featured Groups format adds six extra hours of live coverage, allowing fans to follow the tournament’s most compelling storylines from the very first tee. Full coverage of the first two rounds will commence at 1:00 p.m., with rounds three and four broadcast live from midday over the weekend. Beyond the on‑course action, the event offers a range of ancillary experiences.
Golf enthusiasts can explore over 1,700 courses throughout the UK and Ireland, with special pricing available for Sky Sports subscribers. The tournament also provides a platform for emerging talent, as many of the younger players in the field are using this major as a springboard to greater success on the LPGA Tour. In summary, the AIG Women’s Open promises a thrilling blend of established champions and rising stars, all competing on the historic links of Royal Lytham & St Annes. Whether you are watching Korda and Ryu vie for a historic third major, cheering Hull’s quest for her first major victory, or following the Solheim Cup hopefuls as they fight for a place on the European team, there is no shortage of drama and high‑quality golf to enjoy.
Tune in to Sky Sports Golf for comprehensive, contract‑free streaming of the tournament, and stay updated with live scores, expert analysis, and behind‑the‑scenes content throughout the week.