Lydia Ko has openly declared that she intends to "channel her inner Foxy" as she sets her sights on adding another major championship to her résumé at the AIG Women's Open. The New Zealand star was visibly moved after fellow Kiwi Ryan Fox clinched a dramatic victory at The Open earlier this month, a win that sparked both pride and a surge of motivation for Ko. Fox's triumph at Royal Birkdale was nothing short of sensational. He holed a decisive birdie on the final hole to secure a one‑stroke margin, becoming only the third male golfer from New Zealand to capture a major title.
The victory broke a 60‑year drought for New Zealand at The Open, the last triumph having been recorded by Bob Charles in 1963 at Royal Lytham & St Annes – the very course where Ko will soon 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 New Zealand golf after his win at Royal Birkdale.
I don't think I've ever been this nervous and thrilled watching someone else compete. His back‑nine performance over the weekend was simply incredible.
It would be amazing to tap into his fearlessness and let that energy guide me over the next few days." Fox's path to victory was a story of resilience. He entered the third round eight strokes off the lead but fired a historic 62, tying the lowest round ever recorded in a men's major. That surge propelled him to within two shots of the leader heading into the final day, and he closed the tournament by birdieing two of his last three holes, sealing the win.
Ko, who was watching Fox's dramatic finish from the west coast of the United States, recounted the emotional roller‑coaster she experienced. "I tried to turn on The Open on my TV while I was working out, but it wouldn't load, so I switched to my phone. I couldn't focus on my workout at all – my whole attention was on the tournament.
I took an Uber home, and as soon as I got there I saw Fox on the 18th hole. The moment I saw that drive, I felt a wave of relief and pure excitement. I slammed the door shut and screamed. My husband ran out asking what was happening, and ten seconds later I was crying.
It was an emotional moment for me, and I can only imagine how he felt watching me. Ko's own major record this year has been a mixed bag. She missed the cut at the first two women's majors of the season, but she rebounded with a solid performance at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, where she rose from a slow start to finish tied for 15th. She followed that with a seventh‑place finish at the Amundi Evian Championship, demonstrating that she can still contend when she finds her rhythm.
Now, as the AIG Women's Open unfolds, Ko will share the first two rounds with fellow major winners Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu, both of whom have already added multiple titles to their résumés in 2026. Ko acknowledges the difficulty of the course at Royal Birkdale, noting that even on a perfect day the layout plays exceptionally tough. "I think this is the toughest Women's Open I've ever played," she said.
"When I competed in 2018, I remember being in a lot of bunkers that are still vivid in my memory. This year the course feels almost brand new, even though they've only made minor adjustments to a few holes. It's a hard test, and winning on a venue like this would feel incredibly rewarding." She added that a victory would carry extra significance given Fox's recent Open win.
"With Foxy having won The Open, a win for me would be very meaningful and empowering for golf in New Zealand," Ko explained. "It would show that New Zealand can produce champions on both the men's and women's sides, inspiring the next generation of golfers back home." The AIG Women's Open is being broadcast exclusively by Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, with an expanded coverage package that includes Featured Groups programming. The new format begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage at 1 p.m., and live action for the third and fourth rounds will commence at midday over the weekend.
Viewers can also stream the tournament via Sky Sports' contract‑free service. Beyond the immediate competition, Ko's determination to embody the confidence and audacity she admires in Fox reflects a broader narrative about the mental side of elite golf.
The sport demands not only technical precision but also the ability to harness emotions, stay resilient after setbacks, and draw inspiration from peers. Ko's public acknowledgment of how Fox's win affected her illustrates how intertwined the successes of athletes from the same nation can be, especially when they share a relatively small pool of role models.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Ko to see whether she can translate that emotional surge into tangible results on the fairways and greens of Royal Birkdale. Her performance will not only add another chapter to her own storied career but also potentially signal a new era of New Zealand dominance in both men's and women's professional golf. Whether she ultimately lifts the Claret Jug for women or settles for a strong finish, Ko's resolve to "channel her inner Foxy" underscores the power of camaraderie, national pride, and personal belief in the pursuit of sporting greatness.