Hull Downplays Rivalry with Dominant Korda: "Let Me Secure My First Major First!"

Charley Hull has been candid about the perceived rivalry with world number one Nelly Korda as the AIG Women’s Open approaches, acknowledging that the string of near‑wins in major championships has taken an emotional toll. The English golfer, currently ranked seventh globally, is among the favourites at Royal Lytham & St Annes, where she hopes to become the first Englishwoman to claim a major title since Georgia Hall’s breakthrough victory at the same venue in 2018. Hull’s résumé in majors is both impressive and frustrating.

In the past three years she has finished runner‑up twice at the AIG Women’s Open and has collected five second‑place finishes overall in major tournaments, including a recent loss to Korda at the U.S. Women’s Open in June. Despite these strong performances, the elusive winner’s trophy has remained out of reach. When asked about the supposed rivalry, Hull brushed it aside, saying, "I don’t really see it as a rivalry at the minute, because no offence, Nelly has got however many majors and I’ve got none.

I’ve got five second places. Let me get my major in first and then that’s something we can think about in the future." She praised Korda’s impact on the game, describing her play as "unbelievable" and adding that Korda is "a nice girl" as well. Hull’s focus, however, remains firmly on breaking her own barrier: "I just want to get over the line and win my first major.

Five second‑place finishes in majors kind of hurts. I remember walking past the trophy display on day one last year and thinking, ‘I wish that was me.’" Korda entered the tournament having already captured the first two majors of the season and was widely expected to chase a fifth title. Hull’s comments highlighted the respect she holds for the American’s achievements while underscoring her own determination to add a major to her résumé. Hull’s recent form has been a mixed bag.

Her runner‑up finish at the U.S. Women’s Open stands as 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 result marred by a quadruple‑bogey on the ninth hole of her opening round. Hull explained the mishap, saying, "It was me, but the pin shouldn’t have been there. I saw a birdie putt roll off the green, texted the commissioner right after the round, and realized the pin was positioned about a yard from a steep slope.

I ended up with a nine on a 12‑foot birdie chance, took four chips up the slope, and still missed. It just shows that even the world No. 1 can make a nine." She added, "I thought it was a pretty good nine by the end of it.

I holed a ten‑foot putt – I think I even fist‑bumped!" The incident illustrated the fine margins in elite golf and reminded fans that even top players are susceptible to the odd lapse. Among Hull’s English compatriots, Lottie Woad has emerged as the highest‑ranked home player in the field. Woad, currently world number five, expressed her dream of winning the AIG Women’s Open, noting that the last two editions at Royal Lytham & St Annes were both claimed by British golfers.

"For any British player, this would be the dream tournament to win," she said in her press conference. "I love links golf; the wind and the unpredictable bounces make it a true test, and I’d love to lift that trophy." Woad also highlighted the growing depth of British and English talent on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, pointing to a surge of promising players transitioning from amateur ranks to professional status. She believes British golf is in a strong position and expects the upcoming Solheim Cup in September to showcase that strength.

The broadcast landscape for the championship has also evolved. Sky Sports retains exclusive rights in the UK and Ireland, but for the first time it will feature a "Featured Groups" segment, providing additional live coverage. The new format begins at 9 a.m.

on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, with full coverage kicking off at 1 p.m., and live broadcasts of the third and fourth rounds starting at midday over the weekend. Fans can also stream the action without a contract through Sky’s streaming service. As the tournament unfolds, the central narrative will be whether Hull can finally convert her consistent high finishes into a major victory, or whether Korda will continue her dominant run. The pressure of past near‑misses weighs heavily on Hull, yet her candid acknowledgment of those setbacks and her clear goal of securing that first major suggest a renewed mental focus.

Meanwhile, the broader English contingent, led by Woad, hopes to add another chapter to the recent resurgence of British success on the world stage. The AIG Women’s Open promises a compelling blend of personal ambition, national pride, and the unpredictable drama that only links golf can deliver. Whether it’s Hull finally breaking through, Korda extending her reign, or a surprise contender emerging, the week ahead will be a defining moment for women’s golf and a showcase of the sport’s growing global appeal.