The season’s climax for women’s majors arrives this week with the AIG Women’s Open, and Sky Sports is delivering its most extensive live coverage yet from the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club. The tournament, a cornerstone of the LPGA calendar, will be broadcast in its entirety, offering viewers unprecedented access to every round, including the new Featured Groups segment that will debut this year.
Defending champion Miyu Yamashita is back to defend her title after a breakthrough victory at Royal Porthcawl last season. The Japanese star aims to become the first player to win back‑to‑back AIG Women’s Opens since Yani Tseng achieved the feat in 2011. Yamashita’s composure and strategic play have already made her a favorite among pundits, and she will be looking to repeat her flawless performance on the demanding links. Nelly Korda enters the competition as the pre‑tournament favorite, having already secured two majors this year – the Chevron Championship and the U.S.
Women’s Open. A win at Lytham would not only give her a third major in 2026 but also secure her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame and complete the coveted career Grand Slam.
Korda’s powerful swing and mental resilience have been on full display throughout the season, and she will be eager to add another trophy to her growing résumé. Recent major champion Haegan Ryu also has a strong claim to the title. Ryu captured the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship earlier in the year, positioning herself for a potential third consecutive major victory.
Her aggressive ball‑striking and keen course management make her a serious contender on the challenging Royal Lytham layout. Among the other notable competitors are Jeongeun “Jeeno” Ryu, who has shown steady improvement on the tour, and Hyojoo Kim, a seasoned player with a history of strong finishes in major events. Both are expected to be in the mix as the field tightens over the weekend. British hopes are represented by Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, who are both seeking their first major win.
Hull, who narrowly missed out on the title in 2025, hopes to become the first Englishwoman to claim a major since Georgia Hall’s triumph in 2018. Woad, a rising talent, will be looking to make a breakthrough on home soil. The tournament also serves as the final qualifying opportunity for players hoping to earn a spot on Europe’s Solheim Cup team for the September competition. Performances this week could be decisive for those on the cusp of selection, adding an extra layer of drama to each round.
Sky Sports has announced that the broadcast will feature live action from all four rounds, with the first day’s coverage beginning at 9 a.m. on Sky Sports Golf and full coverage from 1 p.m.
onward. The final round will be streamed live on Sunday, August 2, at 12 p.m., and a complete replay will be available the following Monday for those who missed the live event. In addition to the live feed, Sky Sports will provide one‑hour highlight packages each evening at 11 p.m., which will be repeated the next morning.
These highlights will condense the day’s key moments, including clutch putts, dramatic swings, and any weather‑related challenges that arise on the links. Royal Lytham & St Annes is one of the most iconic courses in the R&A’s portfolio, having hosted The Open Championship eleven times and serving as a two‑time Ryder Cup venue. This week marks the sixth occasion that the club will host the AIG Women’s Open.
The course will play at 6,601 yards with a par of 71, featuring over 170 pot bunkers that line the fairways and a unique opening par‑three hole – the only one of its kind on The Open circuit. The venue also celebrates a historic milestone: 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of The Open’s first edition at Royal Lytham, which was won by the legendary Bobby Jones. Over the century, the course has witnessed champions such as Bobby Locke, Peter Thomson, Bob Charles, Tony Jacklin, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros (twice), David Duval, and Ernie Els hoist the Claret Jug. British players have enjoyed recent success at Lytham, with Hall’s 2018 victory following Catriona Matthew’s 2009 win.
Past champions also include Sherri Steinhauer, a two‑time winner, and the iconic Annika Sörenstam, who both found the course to suit their game. Viewers can watch the tournament through several platforms.
Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event will carry the live feed for Sky subscribers, while the Sky Sports app offers on‑the‑go streaming. Non‑Sky customers can access the coverage without a long‑term contract via a NOW Day pass or a flexible month‑to‑month subscription. For those on the move, a dedicated live blog will provide minute‑by‑minute updates throughout the week.
Sky Sports also encourages fans to stay connected via WhatsApp, where they can receive the latest news, video highlights, analytical pieces, and exclusive features related to the tournament and other sporting events. In summary, the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes promises a thrilling conclusion to the women’s major season, with a deep field of talent, historic significance, and the most comprehensive live coverage ever offered by Sky Sports. Whether you are a fan of the defending champion, a hopeful of a career Grand Slam, or a supporter of home‑grown talent, there will be plenty of drama, skill, and excitement to enjoy throughout the weekend.