World No. 1 Nelly Korda has been placed into a high‑profile grouping for the opening two rounds of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, sharing the tee time with back‑to‑back major champion Ha Ryu. Korda entered the tournament fresh from victories at the Chevron Championship and the U.S.
Women’s Open, while Ryu arrived on the heels of her wins at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship. Their joint appearance marks the first occasion in the history of the women’s game that two players have captured multiple majors in the same season, underscoring the depth of talent on display.
Both athletes are in contention for a rare calendar‑year triple‑major achievement, a feat not accomplished since Inbee Park’s three‑major sweep in 2013. Ryu, who is chasing a third consecutive major, tees off at 8:42 a.m. alongside Korda and the 2024 champion Lydia Ko, creating a marquee three‑ball that promises early drama for spectators and broadcasters alike. In another notable early‑morning grouping, England’s Lottie Woad is set to make history by attempting to become the first Englishwoman to capture a major since Georgia Hall’s 2018 triumph at the same venue.
Ranked world No. 5, Woad will be paired with Japan’s Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee, forming a competitive trio that could see her break a long‑standing national drought. Both of these star‑studded three‑balls will be featured in the new "Featured Group" coverage on Thursday, with Sky Sports Golf broadcasting live from 9 a.m.
This enhanced coverage reflects Sky’s commitment to delivering more live golf to fans, adding six additional hours of broadcast time compared with previous years. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita, who seeks to become the first player since Yani Tseng to win back‑to‑back women’s majors, will start her round at 1:15 p.m. alongside world No.
2 Jeongeun “Jeeno” Thitikul of Thailand and American Lauren Coughlin. Yamashita’s pursuit of consecutive titles adds another compelling storyline to the tournament’s narrative.
Charley Hull, a former runner‑up at the Open on two of the last three occasions, will be positioned in the late‑early half of the draw, hoping to finally convert her strong performances into a victory. Hull will be paired with Australian Hannah Green and Canadian Brooke Henderson, both of whom have proven themselves as major contenders in recent seasons. The tournament’s schedule features a one‑tee start for the 144‑player field, with the opening tee shot at 6:30 a.m.
taken by England’s Alice Hewson. This early start is part of a broader effort to accommodate a compact field while maintaining competitive fairness. The AIG Women’s Open also serves as the final qualifying event for European players aspiring to earn a spot on the Solheim Cup team.
Team Europe’s composition will be determined by the European Solheim Cup points standings and the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. The top two players from the points list will automatically qualify, followed by the next six highest‑ranked Europeans who are not already eligible. Captain Anna Nordqvist will then announce four captain’s picks live on Sky Sports News on Monday, completing the roster. The official groupings for the first round are as follows (times are in local British Summer Time): - 07:03 – Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Cassie Porter (Australia), Sayaka Takahashi (Japan) - 08:09 – Sei Young Kim (South Korea), Rio Takeda (Japan), Yuna Araki (Japan) - 08:20 – Hyo‑joo Kim (South Korea), Minjee Lee (Australia), Mao Saigo (Japan) - 08:31 – Lottie Woad (England), Aki Iwai (Japan), Andrea Lee (USA) - 08:42 – Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Nelly Korda (USA), Ha Ryu (South Korea) - 13:15 – Miyu Yamashita (Japan), Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand), Lauren Coughlin (USA) - 13:26 – Charley Hull (England), Hannah Green (Australia), Brooke Henderson (Canada) - 13:42 – Maja Stark (Sweden), Jinhee Im (South Korea), Allisen Corpuz (Philippines) Sky Sports retains exclusive broadcasting rights for the AIG Women’s Open across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The introduction of Featured Group coverage means viewers will receive in‑depth analysis and live action from the most compelling pairings right from the start of the tournament. Full coverage of the event will commence at 1 p.m., with the third and fourth rounds being broadcast live from midday over the weekend.
Fans can follow the competition throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf, or stream the action via the Sky Sports app without a long‑term contract. For those who enjoy playing the game themselves, Sky also offers discounted rates for booking a round at any of the 1,700 affiliated courses across the UK and Ireland.
To find a venue, simply enter a course name, city, or postal code on the Sky website; if no results appear, try a different search term. The AIG Women’s Open promises a blend of historic ambition, emerging talent, and seasoned champions, making it one of the most anticipated events on the 2026 women’s golf calendar. Whether you are watching for the chance to see Korda and Ryu chase a rare triple‑major feat, cheering on Hull’s quest for her first major victory, or rooting for a home‑grown hero like Woad to break a national drought, the tournament offers a rich tapestry of storylines that will captivate golf enthusiasts worldwide.