As the 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open approaches, the tournament promises a host of compelling narratives that will unfold on the links of Royal Lytham & St Annes. Among the leading contenders are Nelly Korda and Charley Hull, both eager to claim the coveted major title while the event enjoys live coverage on Sky Sports. The current women’s major season has been dominated by two standout performers: Nelly Korda of the United States and South Korea’s Ha Ryu. Each player has already secured two major championships this year, positioning themselves to match the record for the most major wins in a single calendar year.
Korda captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ryu triumphed at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Evian Championship.
This marks the first occasion in LPGA history that two competitors have amassed multiple majors within the same season. Historically, only a handful of golfers—across both the men’s and women’s tours—have managed to win three majors in a single year. The exclusive club includes legends such as Ben Hogan (1953) and Tiger Woods (2000) on the men’s side, and Inbee Park, who swept the first three majors in 2013, joining the ranks of Babe Zaharias (1950), Mickey Wright (1961) and Pat Bradley (1986).
Both Korda and Ryu are now eyeing a third major this week, which would secure their place in that elite group. The race for the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award, presented to the LPGA player with the best major record over a season, is also heating up. Korda and Ryu are the only two in contention, and the outcome of the AIG Women’s Open could determine who walks away with the honor.
Korda’s recent form has been a story of contrasts. After missing the cut at the Evian Championship—a surprising result given her status as a pre‑tournament favorite—she rebounded by winning the U.S. Women’s Open, her third distinct major title.
That victory extended her streak of cuts made to 34 consecutive tournaments, a run that was broken in France. The win also kept her alive in the pursuit of a career Grand Slam, a feat that requires triumphing in four of the five current women’s majors.
Because the roster of major championships has evolved over time, players who capture four of the five events are recognized as Grand Slam winners. Korda now has a fresh opportunity to complete that achievement at Royal Lytham. Her recent results provide further optimism. Korda finished tied for second behind Lydia Ko at the 2024 Open at St Andrews, and she posted a tied‑16th finish at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open.
A victory at the AIG Women’s Open would not only give her a fifth major but also represent her 20th LPGA Tour win, pushing her closer to the two‑point threshold needed for induction into the LPGA Hall of Fame. The tournament also offers a chance for other rising stars to make a statement. Japanese prodigy Miyu Yamashita, a dominant force on the LPGA of Japan Tour with 13 victories, has begun to make waves on the global stage. After a breakthrough win at the 2023 Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl—where she edged out Charley Hull—Yamashita added a Maybank Championship title on the LPGA Tour and captured the Meijer LPGA Classic in a dramatic playoff.
Her recent form includes a shared fourth‑place finish at the Evian Championship and a top‑five showing in Scotland, positioning her as a legitimate contender for another major. British golf history is also woven into the fabric of this venue. It has been 30 years since Dame Laura Davies secured her final major, and since then several UK players have triumphed at Royal Lytham. Alison Nicholas won the U.S.
Women’s Open in 1997, while Karen Stupples captured the AIG Women’s Open in 2004. More recently, Catriona Matthew became Scotland’s first female major champion at this course in 2009, just weeks after giving birth to her second child. Georgia Hall followed with a two‑stroke victory in 2018.
This year, Charley Hull hopes to add her name to that list after five runner‑up finishes in majors, including two close calls at Royal Lytham. The field also includes promising European talent vying for Solheim Cup consideration. With the European team’s selection process reaching its climax, players such as Lottie Woad, Maja Stark, Celine Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant and Esther Henseleit are battling for the limited spots allocated via world rankings.
Additional hopefuls—Chiara Tamburlini, Helen Briem, Agathe Laisne and Cara Gainer—are positioned just behind them on the Ladies European Tour points list, while newcomers like Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Dewi Weber and Mimi Rhodes sit inside the top 100 globally. A strong showing at the AIG Women’s Open could tip the scales in their favor for a place on Anna Nordqvist’s Solheim Cup squad. Nordqvist, who will serve as non‑playing captain, has already confirmed eight automatic qualifiers and will announce her four captain’s picks next week.
The selections are expected to be difficult, with many players hoping to force a spot through their performance this week. For fans, the tournament promises a record‑breaking broadcast experience. Sky Sports holds exclusive rights in the UK and Ireland, offering an expanded “Featured Groups” format that begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m.
The weekend rounds will be shown live from midday, providing over six additional hours of live golf compared with previous years. In summary, the AIG Women’s Open presents a convergence of historic milestones, personal quests, and national pride.
Whether Korda will secure her third major of the year, whether a British player will lift the trophy on home soil, and which European hopefuls will earn Solheim Cup berths are all questions that will be answered on the storied links of Royal Lytham & St Annes. The drama unfolds live on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available for viewers who prefer to watch without a contract.