Charley Hull has been candid about the perceived rivalry with world No. 1 Nelly Korda as the AIG Women’s Open approaches, emphasizing that her primary goal is to capture her inaugural major championship. The English golfer, currently ranked seventh globally, is among the leading contenders at Royal Lytham & St Annes, where she hopes to become the first Englishwoman to lift the trophy since Georgia Hall’s breakthrough victory at the same venue in 2018. Hull’s recent record in major tournaments underscores both her talent and the frustration of repeatedly falling just short.
In the past three years she has finished runner‑up twice at the AIG Women’s Open and has amassed five second‑place finishes in majors overall, including a runner‑up finish to Korda at the U.S. Women’s Open in June. Those near‑misses have left her feeling the sting of what she describes as “hurt” from coming so close yet not securing the win.
During a pre‑tournament press conference Hull made it clear that she does not view Korda as a personal adversary at this moment. “No offense, Nelly has a handful of majors and I have none,” she said. “I’ve got five second places. Let me get my major first and then we can talk about any rivalry in the future.” Hull praised Korda’s game, calling her performance “unbelievable” and noting that she is a “nice girl” who is elevating the sport for fans worldwide.
The desire to break through is palpable. Hull recounted the emotional impact of seeing last year’s winner’s trophy on the course entrance posters, admitting she imagined herself in that spot.
“Five second‑place finishes in majors kind of hurts,” she confessed. “I just want to get over the line and win my first major.” Hull’s recent form has been a mixed bag. Her runner‑up finish at the U.S.
Women’s Open remains her sole top‑15 result in the last seven starts. The 30‑year‑old then posted a tied‑44th finish at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open, a tournament that was marred by a dramatic quadruple‑bogey on the ninth hole.
Hull explained the mishap, saying the pin placement was problematic: “It was me, but the pin shouldn’t have been there. It was about a yard from a massive slope and on a downslope heading toward another slope. I had a 12‑foot birdie putt and ended up with a nine.” She added that even the world’s best can make such errors, emphasizing the human element of the game. Hull’s candid reflections on that incident highlighted both the frustration and the resilience required at the highest level.
“I thought it was a pretty good nine by the end of it,” she said, noting that she managed to sink a ten‑foot putt afterward and even celebrated with a fist‑bump. The episode serves as a reminder that even elite players can be tripped up by course conditions and unexpected pin locations.
Meanwhile, fellow English golfer Lottie Woad, currently the highest‑ranked English player in the field, is also dreaming of a major triumph. Woad, ranked fifth in the world, spoke passionately about the allure of links golf and the unique challenges presented by Royal Lytham & St Annes. “For any British player, this would be the dream to win,” she said, adding that she enjoys the wind‑swept, unpredictable nature of links courses. She has already recorded top‑10 finishes in her two previous AIG Women’s Open appearances and hopes to add another strong performance to her résumé before making her Solheim Cup debut for Team Europe in September.
Woad also highlighted the growing depth of British talent on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour. She noted that many of her friends are on the cusp of turning professional or are concluding distinguished amateur careers, indicating a bright future for British women’s golf.
“I think British golf is in a great spot,” she affirmed. The tournament itself is receiving unprecedented coverage in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Sky Sports holds exclusive broadcasting rights, and for the first time the network is offering a "Featured Groups" segment that will begin at 9 a.m.
on Thursday and Friday, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m. The weekend will see live broadcasts of the third and fourth rounds starting at midday, providing viewers with up to six additional hours of live action compared with previous years. Fans can follow the competition live on Sky Sports Golf, or opt for a streaming subscription that offers golf and a range of other sports without a long‑term contract.
The expanded coverage reflects the growing popularity of women’s golf and the excitement surrounding a field that includes both seasoned champions and emerging talents. As the AIG Women’s Open unfolds, all eyes will be on Hull, Korda, and Woad, each representing different narratives within the sport. Hull seeks to convert her string of near‑wins into a historic victory for England, Korda aims to add a fifth major to her impressive collection, and Woad hopes to cement her status as a rising star on the global stage.
The tournament promises high drama, challenging links conditions, and the ever‑present possibility that a new champion will emerge, reshaping the landscape of women’s golf.