World number one Nelly Korda has been placed in a high‑profile grouping for the opening rounds of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, sharing the tee with back‑to‑back major champion Haeran Ryu. The pairing marks a rare convergence of two of the game’s most successful players this season. Korda entered the tournament after clinching both the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ryu secured victories at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship.
Their joint appearance represents the first instance in the history of women’s golf where two competitors have each captured multiple major titles within a single season. Both athletes are now in contention to become the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to capture three majors in a calendar year.
Ryu, who is chasing a third consecutive major, tees off at 8:42 a.m. alongside Korda and the 2024 champion Lydia Ko, creating a marquee three‑ball that promises high drama for early viewers.
The early start also includes Lottie Woad, who will look to become the first Englishwoman to win a major since Georgia Hall’s 2018 triumph at the same venue. Woad, currently ranked fifth in the world, is grouped with Japan’s Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee, forming another compelling trio. These two featured groups will be highlighted in Sky Sports Golf’s "Featured Group" coverage on Thursday, with live broadcast beginning at 9 a.m. The defending champion, Japan’s Miyu Yamashita, will be on the opposite side of the draw, teeing off at 1:15 p.m.
alongside world number two Jeongeun Lee (Thitikul) and American Lauren Coughlin. Yamashita aims to become the first player since Yani Tseng to win consecutive women’s majors, adding another storyline to an already stacked field.
Charley Hull, who has finished runner‑up twice in the last three editions of the Open, will start in the late‑early half of the draw at 1:26 p.m. Hull is paired with Australian Hannah Green and Canadian Brooke Henderson, both of whom have also enjoyed recent success on the LPGA Tour. Hull hopes to convert her near‑misses into a victory on the course that has brought her so much history. The tournament will feature a one‑tee start for the 144‑player field, with the first tee shot by England’s Alice Hewson at 6:30 a.m.
on Thursday. This format ensures a smooth flow of play and allows spectators to follow the action from the earliest moments. The AIG Women’s Open also serves as the final qualifying event for European players aspiring to earn a spot on the Solheim Cup team.
Team Europe will be composed of the top two players in the European Solheim Cup points list, plus the next six eligible players from the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Captain Anna Nordqvist will then announce four captain’s picks live on Sky Sports News on Monday.
The announced Solheim Cup prospects include: - Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Cassie Porter (Australia), Sayaka Takahashi (Japan) - Sei Young Kim (Korea), Rio Takeda (Japan), Yuna Araki (Japan) - Hyojoo Kim (Korea), Minjee Lee (Australia), Mao Saigo (Japan) - Lottie Woad (England), Aki Iwai (Japan), Andrea Lee (USA) - Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Nelly Korda (USA), Haeran Ryu (Korea) - Miyu Yamashita (Japan), Jeongeun Lee (Thailand), Lauren Coughlin (USA) - Charley Hull (England), Hannah Green (Australia), Brooke Henderson (Canada) - Maja Stark (Sweden), Jinhee Im (Korea), Allisen Corpuz (Philippines) Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This year, the network has expanded its coverage, offering six additional hours of live golf and introducing Featured Group segments for the first time. The Featured Groups will be shown from 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, preceding the full broadcast that begins at 1 p.m.
Rounds three and four will be aired live from midday over the weekend, ensuring fans can follow the tournament from start to finish. For viewers who wish to watch the competition, Sky Sports Golf provides a streaming option without a long‑term contract, allowing golf enthusiasts to tune in throughout the week. In addition to live coverage, Sky Sports offers a range of related programming, including analysis, player interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes features that deepen the audience’s understanding of the sport. Beyond the television broadcast, fans can also engage with the event by booking a round at one of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland that partner with Sky Sports.
By entering a city, course name, or postal code on the Sky Sports website, golfers can find the best rates and secure a tee time, blending the excitement of watching the Open with the opportunity to experience world‑class courses themselves. In summary, the AIG Women’s Open promises a thrilling start with two star‑studded groups featuring Korda, Ryu, Yamashita, Hull and several other top‑ranked players.
The combination of historic milestones, such as the potential for a third major in a calendar year and the quest for back‑to‑back major victories, adds layers of intrigue. With extensive coverage from Sky Sports Golf and the added convenience of streaming without a contract, fans worldwide can enjoy every swing, putt, and dramatic moment as the world’s best women golfers compete for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.