The most recent leaderboard for the 50th AIG Women’s Open, the season’s final women’s major, is now available for the tournament taking place at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita returns to Royal Lytham & St Annes with the aim of retaining the title she secured last year after edging out England’s Charley Hull and fellow Japanese competitor Minami Katsu by two strokes at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club. Yamashita has been in superb form on the LPGA Tour throughout the year.
In June she captured the Meijer LPGA Classic, prevailing over Lottie Woad in a dramatic playoff, and she followed that triumph with a tied‑fifth finish at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open just a week ago. At 24, Yamashita will face a deep and talented field that includes world number one Nelly Korda, who is eyeing a career Grand Slam by adding a fourth distinct major to her résumé at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Home‑country hopefuls Lottie Woad and Charley Hull are also in the mix as the British favourites, each eager to claim their first major championship.
Hull, who was runner‑up at the U.S. Women’s Open in June, is still searching for that elusive victory after a string of five runner‑up finishes in major tournaments.
The venue itself carries a rich history. Georgia Hall lifted the AIG Women’s Open trophy when the championship returned to Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2018, following Catriona Matthew’s win at the same course in 2009.
Weather conditions are expected to be variable. The on‑site meteorologist has issued a short‑term forecast for the tournament week: Thursday – a slight chance of an isolated shower, breezy with winds of 12‑18 mph and gusts up to 28 mph, high of 21°C (70°F). Friday – mostly sunny with a possible shower, lighter winds of 10‑15 mph (gusts to 20 mph), high of 20°C (68°F).
Saturday – partly cloudy, winds easing to 9‑13 mph, high of 21°C (70°F). Sunday – again partly cloudy, calm winds of 5‑10 mph, high of 20°C (68°F). The tournament will feature 144 competitors, among them world number two Jeeno Thitikul and world number three Haeran Ryu. Ryu is chasing a third major title of the season after triumphs at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June and the Evian Championship in July.
Detailed exemption criteria and a full list of qualified players are posted on the official AIG Women’s Open website. Play begins early, with tee times set for 6:30 a.m.
on Thursday and Friday; the exact start times for the opening round can be viewed via the tournament’s scheduling page. Weekend tee times will be adjusted based on the number of players who survive the cut, while third‑round pairings will be announced on Friday night. After 36 holes, the top 65 players and ties will advance to the final two rounds. Broadcast coverage has been expanded this year.
Sky Sports Golf will deliver six additional hours of live programming compared with the 2025 edition. Early coverage starts at 9 a.m. on both Thursday and Friday, with full live action of the first and second rounds kicking off at 1 p.m.
each day. The third and fourth rounds will be shown from noon on Saturday and Sunday, and nightly highlights will air at 11 p.m. on each tournament day. Golf fans can watch the entire event live on Sky Sports, either via a subscription or through a contract‑free streaming option.
Beyond the competition itself, the AIG Women’s Open serves as a showcase for the growing depth and global reach of women’s golf. Players from Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania converge on the links, illustrating the sport’s expanding talent pool. The tournament also offers valuable world‑ranking points, influencing qualification for future majors and the Olympic Games.
For viewers seeking to follow the action online, the official tournament site provides live leaderboards, player statistics, and video highlights. While the site recommends using the Chrome browser for optimal video playback, alternative browsers may also support the streaming feed.
As the week unfolds, the question on everyone’s mind is who will rise to the occasion and claim the AIG Women’s Open crown. With a mix of seasoned champions, rising stars, and local favorites, the competition promises drama, skillful shot‑making, and the ever‑present challenge of Royal Lytham’s unpredictable coastal weather.
Stay tuned for daily updates, score changes, and in‑depth analysis as the tournament reaches its climax on Sunday.