Lydia Ko has openly declared that she intends to "tap into her inner Foxy" as she sets her sights on adding another major championship to her résumé at the AIG Women's Open. The inspiration for this bold statement came after she watched compatriot Ryan Fox capture a dramatic one‑shot victory at The Open earlier this month, a win that moved her to tears and sparked a surge of excitement for New Zealand golf. Fox's triumph at Royal Birkdale was a historic moment for the tiny nation.

The 39‑year‑old became only the third New Zealand male golfer to win a major, joining the legendary Bob Charles, who last lifted the Claret Jug in 1963 at Royal Lytham & St Annes. That same venue will host Ko as she competes for a fourth major title and a second AIG Women's Open crown.

"I would love to keep the dice rolling," Ko said during her pre‑tournament press conference, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I’m super‑excited for Foxy [Ryan Fox] and for all of New Zealand golf after his win at Royal Birkdale. I’ve never been this nervous and excited watching someone else play.

His back‑nine performance over the weekend was simply incredible. It would be amazing to channel my inner Foxy and bring that same fearlessness to the course over the next few days." Fox's victory was a masterclass in resilience. He entered the final round eight strokes behind the leader, then posted a third‑round 62 that tied the lowest score ever recorded in a men’s major at that point.

Heading into the final day he was two shots off the lead, and he sealed the championship by birdieing two of his last three holes, clinching a one‑shot win that left the golfing world buzzing. Ko, who was watching the drama unfold from the west coast of the United States, described how the moment affected her personally.

"I tried to work out, but everywhere I went I kept saying ‘please turn on The Open’. The TV wouldn’t show it, so I ended up watching on my phone. I can’t even remember my workout because my focus was completely on Ryan’s finish.

I took an Uber home, and as soon as I walked through the door I saw his drive on the 18th hole. I felt a wave of relief and pure excitement. I slammed the door, screamed, and my husband rushed in asking what was happening. Ten seconds later I was crying— it was an emotional roller‑coaster, and I can only imagine how he felt watching me.” The emotional response underscores how much Fox’s win meant to Ko and to New Zealand golf as a whole.

Ko hopes that by channeling the same daring attitude that helped Fox succeed, she can elevate her own game and perhaps inspire a new generation of Kiwi golfers. Ko’s own recent major‑championship form has been a mixed bag. She missed the cut in the first two women’s majors of the season, but she rebounded at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, climbing from a slow start to finish tied‑15th. She then posted a solid seventh‑place finish at the Amundi Evian Championship, showing that she can still compete at the highest level.

Now, at the AIG Women’s Open, Ko will share the first two rounds with fellow New Zealand stars Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu, both of whom have already added multiple major titles to their résumés in 2026. The trio will face a demanding course that Ko describes as the toughest Women’s Open she has ever played. "When I competed in 2018, I remember a lot of the bunkers that are still in my memory bank.

This year the course feels almost brand new. They’ve tweaked a few holes, but overall it remains a very challenging layout.

Even on a perfect day it plays hard, so winning on a venue like this would be incredibly rewarding," she explained. Ko believes that a victory would carry special significance beyond personal achievement. "With Foxy having won The Open, a win for me would be deeply meaningful and empowering for golf back home in New Zealand," she said. The sentiment reflects a broader narrative: New Zealand, a nation with a modest population, is producing world‑class golfers who are breaking through on the biggest stages.

The AIG Women’s Open will be broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, with an expanded “Featured Groups” coverage that begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m. The final rounds will be shown live from midday over the weekend, giving fans ample opportunity to follow Ko’s quest for a second title.

Beyond the television schedule, the tournament offers a chance for Ko to cement her legacy. A second AIG Women’s Open would place her among an elite group of multiple‑time champions and would demonstrate that she can translate the inspiration she draws from Ryan Fox’s fearless play into tangible success on the course. In summary, Lydia Ko’s resolve to "channel her inner Foxy" captures both a personal motivation and a national pride. By drawing on the energy of Fox’s historic Open victory, she aims to bring a similar level of daring and determination to her own major challenge.

Whether she can convert that inspiration into a second Women’s Open crown remains to be seen, but the narrative of New Zealand golfers rising to the occasion adds an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be a thrilling week of competition.