The most recent leaderboard from the 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open – the season‑ending major on the women’s tour – is now available, with the competition unfolding on the historic links of Royal Lytham & St Annes. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita returns to Royal Lytham & St Annes with the goal of retaining her title. Yamashita earned the championship last year by out‑playing England’s Charley Hull and fellow Japanese competitor Minami Katsu, finishing two strokes clear at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club. Since that triumph, she has built an impressive résumé on the LPGA Tour.
In June she edged Lottie Woad in a dramatic playoff at the Meijer LPGA Classic, and she followed that victory with a tied‑fifth finish at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open just a week ago. At 24 years old, Yamashita now faces a field that includes the world‑number‑one, Nelly Korda, who is chasing a career Grand Slam. A win at Royal Lytham & St Annes would give Korda her fourth distinct major title and complete the elusive Grand Slam that only a handful of players in history have achieved.
Home‑grown hopefuls Lottie Woad and Charley Hull entered the tournament as fan favourites, each hoping to capture her first major championship. Hull, in particular, has come agonisingly close on several occasions; she was runner‑up at the U.S. Women’s Open in June, marking her fifth second‑place finish in a major and intensifying the desire to finally break through.
The venue itself carries a rich legacy. Georgia Hall lifted the AIG Women’s Open trophy when the championship was last held at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2018, following Catriona Matthew’s victory at the same links in 2009.
The course’s deep bunkers, undulating fairways and coastal winds make it a stern test of skill and strategy, especially when the weather turns fickle. Speaking of weather, the tournament’s on‑site meteorologist has warned of rain throughout the week. The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies on Saturday with winds ranging from 9 to 13 mph and a high of 21 °C (70 °F).
Sunday looks slightly calmer, with winds of 5‑10 mph and a high of 20 °C (68 °F). Players will need to adapt their game plans to the shifting conditions, as the softening greens and occasional drizzle can dramatically affect ball roll and club selection. A total of 144 competitors have travelled to Royal Lytham & St Annes, featuring the world’s elite. Among them are world No.
2 Jeeno Thitikul and world No. 3 Haeran Ryu, who is aiming for her third major of the season after triumphs at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June and the Evian Championship in July. The full list of exemption categories and confirmed entries is available on the official AIG Women’s Open website. Tournament play begins early on Friday, with the first tee shot scheduled for 6:30 a.m.
Second‑round tee times have already been posted, while the exact start times for the weekend rounds will depend on the number of players who survive the cut. After 36 holes, the top 65 players and any ties will advance to the final two rounds. Third‑round pairings will be released on Friday night.
Broadcast coverage has been expanded this year. Sky Sports Golf will provide six additional hours of live programming compared with the 2025 edition.
Early coverage kicks off at 9 a.m. on Friday, with full live broadcasts of the first and second rounds beginning 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. Fans can watch the action throughout the week on Sky Sports, either via a traditional subscription or through a contract‑free streaming option. Golf enthusiasts looking to experience the course themselves can book a round at any of the 1,700 affiliated courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland, with pricing and availability displayed on the booking portal.
In summary, the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes promises a thrilling blend of seasoned champions, rising stars, and challenging conditions. With a defending champion eager to repeat, a world‑number‑one chasing a career Grand Slam, and several local hopefuls hoping to break their major droughts, the leaderboard will likely shift dramatically over the next few days. Stay tuned for live updates, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis as the tournament unfolds.