As the 50th anniversary of the AIG Women’s Open approaches, the tournament promises a host of compelling storylines that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Among the field, Nelly Korda and Charley Hull are both aiming to capture the coveted major title at the historic links of Royal Lytham & St Annes, and the stakes could not be higher. The current women’s major season has been largely defined by two dominant performers: Nelly Korda and Hae Ryun (often referred to as Haeran Ryu). Both players have already secured two major victories this year, putting them on the cusp of matching the record for most major wins in a single calendar year.

Korda’s triumphs came at the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ryu captured the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Evian Championship.

This marks an unprecedented occurrence in professional golf – the first time that two players have each claimed multiple majors within the same season. Historically, only six golfers – across both the men’s and women’s tours – have ever managed to win three majors in a single year. If either Korda or Ryu adds the AIG Women’s Open to their résumé, they will join an elite club that includes legends such as Ben Hogan (1953) and Tiger Woods (2000) on the men’s side, and Inbee Park (2013) on the women’s side. Park’s three‑major sweep in 2013 echoed the achievements of past greats like Babe Zaharias (1955), Mickey Wright (1961) and Pat Bradley (1986).

A third major for Korda or Ryu would therefore not only secure a personal milestone but also cement their place in golf history. Both athletes are also in contention for the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award, which honors the LPGA player with the most outstanding major‑season performance. The award will likely be decided by the outcome of this tournament, adding another layer of intrigue to the competition. Korda’s recent form has been a roller‑coaster.

After a surprising missed cut at the Evian Championship – a tournament where she entered as the pre‑tournament favourite and a four‑time major champion for the season – she rebounded by winning the U.S. Women’s Open, her third distinct major title. That victory extended her streak of consecutive cuts made to 34 tournaments, a run that was halted only by her early exit in France. The win also kept alive her quest for a career Grand Slam, a feat that requires a player to capture four of the five current women’s majors.

Because the roster of major championships has shifted over the decades, golfers who win four out of the five present majors are recognized as Grand Slam achievers. Korda therefore has a fresh opportunity to complete the Grand Slam at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Her recent performances provide a solid foundation for confidence. In 2024, Korda finished tied for second at St Andrews, just one stroke behind Lydia Ko.

This week, a victory would make her the first woman since Inbee Park to join the Grand Slam club. Additionally, a win would represent her 20th LPGA Tour title, her fifth major, and would earn the two points she needs to secure a place in the LPGA Hall of Fame – a milestone that would solidify her legacy. The tournament also offers a chance for a new name to break a 15‑year drought of back‑to‑back major winners.

The last player to achieve consecutive women’s majors was Yani Tseng, who won the 2010 Royal Birkdale and then defended her title at Carnoustie in 2011. Japanese rising star Miyu Yamashita is positioned to challenge that trend.

Though she was relatively unknown to the British audience before her breakthrough win at Royal Porthcawl last year – where she edged out Charley Hull by two strokes – Yamashita has since added a Maybank Championship title on the LPGA Tour and a dramatic playoff victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic. Her recent form includes four top‑five finishes in her last six worldwide starts, a shared fourth place at the Evian Championship, and a shared fifth place at the Scottish Open. Such consistency makes her a serious contender for a major title defense. British golf history also looms large over the event.

It has been three decades since Dame Laura Davies claimed her fourth major title, and since then a number of British players have found success at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Alison Nicholas captured the U.S.

Women’s Open in 1997, Karen Stupples won the AIG Women’s Open in 2004, and Catriona Matthew became Scotland’s first female major champion at this venue in 2009 – just eleven weeks after giving birth to her second daughter. More recently, Georgia Hall secured a two‑stroke victory in 2018. Charley Hull, who has finished runner‑up five times in majors (including twice at this tournament within the last three years), is eager to finally break through. Lottie Woad, another home‑grown talent, hopes to improve on her top‑10 finishes from previous AIG Women’s Open appearances.

The event is expected to draw over 50,000 spectators throughout the week, many of whom will be hoping for a home‑grown champion. The tournament also serves as a final qualifying opportunity for players aspiring to make Team Europe’s Solheim Cup roster.

Captain Anna Nordqvist, who will not be a playing captain this year, is set to finalize her team after the tournament, with eight automatic qualifiers already confirmed and four captain’s picks to be announced soon. The race is tight: Chiara Tamburlini sits second on the LET points list behind Helen Briem, while rookie talents Agathe Laisne and Cara Gainer are also in contention. World‑ranking spots are currently occupied by Lottie Woad, Maja Stark, Céline Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant and Esther Henseleit, with Leona Maguire and other European players such as Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Dewi Weber and Mimi Rhodes also eyeing a potential Solheim Cup call‑up.

Sky Sports continues its exclusive partnership with the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland, offering an expanded broadcast package that includes Featured Groups coverage for the first time. The schedule begins with a 9 a.m. start on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m., and live broadcasts of the third and fourth rounds commencing at midday over the weekend.

Golf fans can follow every swing, putt and dramatic moment live on Sky Sports Golf or stream the action without a contract. In summary, the AIG Women’s Open presents a convergence of historic possibilities: Korda’s chance to join the three‑major club and complete a Grand Slam, Ryu’s bid for a third major this year, Yamashita’s potential to become the first back‑to‑back major winner in 15 years, and several British players vying for a home victory.

With the Solheim Cup qualification on the line and a record‑breaking audience expected, the tournament promises to be one of the most memorable chapters in women’s golf this season.