As the 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open approaches, the excitement is building for what promises to be a historic week of golf at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and two of the sport’s brightest stars—Nelly Korda and Charley Hull—are among the favorites to capture the coveted title.

The current LPGA season has been dominated by a duopoly of talent. Nelly Korda and Ha Ryu have each already secured two major championships this year, positioning themselves to match the record for the most majors won in a single calendar year. Korda’s victories at the Chevron Championship and the U.S.

Women’s Open, combined with Ryu’s triumphs at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Evian Championship, mark the first occasion in LPGA history that two players have amassed multiple majors in the same season. Only a handful of golfers—six in total when men’s and women’s records are combined—have ever won three majors in a single year.

Those elite members of this exclusive club include legends such as Ben Hogan (1953) and Tiger Woods (2000) on the men’s side, and on the women’s side Inbee Park, who swept the first three majors in 2013, joining the ranks of Babe Zaharias (1955), Mickey Wright (1961) and Pat Bradley (1986). Korda and Ryu now stand on the brink of joining that distinguished group, with the AIG Women’s Open representing the final piece of the puzzle for either player.

Both athletes are also vying for the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award, which is presented to the LPGA player who posts the best major‑championship record over the course of a season. A third major win at Lytham could tip the scales decisively in favor of one of them, making the stakes even higher.

One of the most surprising storylines of the season was Korda’s missed cut at the Evian Championship. Coming into that event she was already a four‑time major winner for the year and a clear favorite, so her early exit was a stark reminder of how unpredictable golf can be. Yet that setback also set the stage for a potential redemption narrative at the AIG Women’s Open, where a strong performance could restore her momentum. Korda’s recent form has been a blend of highs and lows.

After a dominant win at the U.S. Women’s Open, she endured a disappointing finish at the French Open, where she missed the cut for the first time in 34 consecutive tournaments where she had made the cut. Despite that hiccup, she remains in contention for the career Grand Slam—a feat that requires a player to win four of the five current majors, a benchmark that has shifted over the years as the LPGA has re‑designated which events count as majors. Her previous best finish at Royal Lytham & St Annes came in 2024, when she tied for second place behind Lydia Ko at St Andrews.

This year she will be determined to go one step further, aiming to become the first woman since Inbee Park to capture the Grand Slam by adding the Open to her trophy cabinet. Beyond the Korda‑Ryu rivalry, other players are also looking to make a mark. Miyu Yamashita, a dominant force on the LPGA of Japan Tour with 13 victories to her name, has been quietly building a reputation on the global stage. After a breakthrough win at the Royal Porthcawl in 2023—where she edged out Charley Hull by two strokes—Yamashita continued her ascent with a victory at the Maybank Championship and a dramatic playoff win at the Meijer LPGA Classic.

She has recorded four top‑five finishes in her last six worldwide starts, including a shared fourth place at the Evian Championship and a shared fifth at the Scottish Open. Her recent form suggests she could be a dark horse contender for the Open.

The British contingent also carries a rich legacy at Lytham. It has been three decades since Dame Laura Davies secured her fourth major at this venue, but since then several home‑grown players have tasted success. Alison Nicholas lifted the U.S.

Women’s Open in 1997, and Karen Stupples captured the AIG Women’s Open in 2004. More recently, Catriona Matthew became Scotland’s first female major champion with a win at Lytham in 2009, just weeks after giving birth to her second child.

Georgia Hall added to the British tally with a two‑stroke victory in 2018. Charley Hull, a consistent presence in the upper echelons of women’s golf, is eager to finally break through.

Hull has finished runner‑up in majors five times, including twice in the past three years at this very tournament. Her perseverance and experience make her a strong candidate to finally claim her first major title.

Meanwhile, Lottie Woad, who has posted top‑10 finishes in her two previous AIG Women’s Open appearances, will be looking to improve on those results and perhaps secure a breakthrough performance. The tournament is also a crucial moment for players hoping to earn a spot on Team Europe for the upcoming Solheim Cup. With the qualification race reaching its climax, every shot could influence the final roster.

Anna Nordqvist, who will serve as non‑playing captain, has already confirmed eight automatic qualifiers and will soon announce her four captain’s picks. Rising LET players such as Chiara Tamburlini, Helen Briem, Agathe Laisne and Cara Gainer are all in contention for a captain’s pick, while established European stars like Lottie Woad, Maja Stark, Celine Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant and Esther Henseleit are positioned to qualify via world rankings.

Additional European hopefuls—including Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Dewi Weber and England’s Mimi Rhodes—are also within striking distance of a top‑100 ranking that could boost their Solheim Cup prospects. Fans are expected to flock to the historic links, with organizers estimating more than 50,000 spectators over the week. The majority will be hoping to see another British champion emerge from the storied fairways of Royal Lytham & St Annes. Sky Sports will provide comprehensive coverage of the event across the UK and Ireland.

For the first time, the network will feature "Featured Groups" coverage beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full live coverage from 1 p.m. The final two rounds will be broadcast live from midday over the weekend, giving viewers ample opportunity to follow the drama as it unfolds. In summary, the 2026 AIG Women’s Open promises a confluence of compelling narratives: the chase for a third major by Korda and Ryu, the potential for a career Grand Slam, a dark‑horse bid from Miyu Yamashita, a long‑awaited breakthrough for Charley Hull, and the final push for Solheim Cup qualification.

Golf enthusiasts can tune in throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf, or stream the action without a contract, to witness what could be a landmark moment in women’s golf history.