Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu have been the dominant forces in women’s major championships this year, but can anyone halt their momentum as they head into the AIG Women’s Open this week? For the first time in the history of the sport, two players have each secured multiple majors in a single season. Korda captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S.
Women’s Open, while Ryu added the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and then clinched the Amundi Evian Championship in a dramatic playoff. Both athletes are now chasing a rare achievement: becoming the first golfer since Inbee Park in 2013 to win three majors in a calendar year. Ryu, in particular, hopes to mirror Park’s feat of three consecutive major victories.
The tournament will be played at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes, and the two stars have been paired together for the opening two rounds on the early‑late side of the draw. Korda enters the event as the clear pre‑tournament favourite, with many observers noting that a fourth major win—this one on a different course—would bring her within striking distance of a career Grand Slam. "There’s no doubt that this year she [Korda] has become a different character – she looks genuinely happier with herself and seems to be in a great mental place," veteran golfer Trish Johnson told Sky Sports.
"She’s had a spectacular season and everything has clicked for her. "Royal Lytham is a course that should suit her game perfectly. When she’s playing at her absolute best, in my view she is head and shoulders above the rest of the field." Korda’s best finish at the AIG Women’s Open to date was a tie for second place in the 2024 edition at St Andrews, a tournament that was ultimately won by Lydia Ko, who also shared a memorable three‑ball with Korda and Ryu that week.
The broadcast partner for the event, Sky Sports, is offering a range of viewing options, including a no‑contract streaming service for golf fans who prefer to watch online. The network also promises a new "Featured Groups" segment that will highlight specific player groupings throughout the tournament, adding extra depth to the coverage. Beyond the headline battle between Korda and Ryu, several other storylines are shaping the field. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita is back after her breakthrough victory at Royal Porthcawl last year.
Since then, the Japanese star has added two LPGA Tour titles to her résumé and is aiming to become the first back‑to‑back women’s major winner since Yani Tseng in 2011. "She [Yamashita] is playing superbly; she finished in the top five at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open last week, and this course will suit her down to the tee," Johnson added. English hopes are represented by Lottie Woad and Charley Hull, who are both eager to become the first Englishwoman to capture a major since Georgia Hall’s triumph at the same venue. Woad has posted top‑10 finishes in each of her two previous AIG Women’s Open appearances, while Hull has been runner‑up in two of the last three editions.
"She [Hull] has collected five runner‑up finishes in majors, which is impressive and shows she can handle the pressure of the final stretch," former major champion Dame Laura Davies said. "I can’t recall a time when she let a lead slip away – someone always seemed to catch up to her." Davies also praised Woad, stating, "I would count her among my real favourites. I love her composure; she stays calm under the spotlight and doesn’t get overly high or low.
On a links course, you’ll encounter some unlucky breaks, but if you manage those better than anyone else, you could be the one standing with the trophy." The commentary team for the event includes a mix of former players and seasoned broadcasters: Trish Johnson, Richard Kaufman, Christina Kim, Catriona Matthew, Iona Stephen, Sarah Stirk, Sophie Walker, Jamie Weir, Ali Whitaker, and many others will be providing insights throughout the week. Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland.
For the first time, the network will feature "Featured Groups" coverage starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, with full coverage kicking off at 1 p.m. The weekend rounds—third and fourth—will be shown live from midday onward. Fans are invited to tune in throughout the week to watch the drama unfold on Sky Sports Golf, or to stream the action via the no‑contract service that offers flexible access to golf and other sports content.
As the tournament approaches, pundits and fans alike are debating who will ultimately lift the trophy. Will Korda complete her Grand Slam quest? Can Ryu become the first player in over a decade to win three majors in a single year? Or will an under‑dog like Yamashita, Woad, or Hull seize the moment?
The answers will be revealed on the links of Royal Lytham & St Annes, where history, skill, and a touch of luck will determine the champion of the AIG Women’s Open.