Nelly Korda has voiced her belief that a victory by Charley Hull at the AIG Women’s Open would be a huge boost for the sport, while she herself is targeting another major triumph at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Korda entered the tournament as the clear favorite, eyeing a historic third major of the season after already capturing the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open in a campaign that has been nothing short of spectacular.
Korda’s win at the U.S. Women’s Open was secured by a single‑stroke margin over Gaby Lopez and Charley Hull, leaving Hull with yet another runner‑up finish in a major. In fact, Hull now has five second‑place finishes in major championships, including two in the past three years at the AIG Women’s Open, and still has not broken through for that elusive first major title. Ahead of what will be the final major of the year, Hull admitted that the string of near‑misses has been painful.
She noted that the last English woman to win a major was Georgia Hall in 2018, and the pressure of carrying that national hope can be heavy. Korda, however, praised Hull’s consistency and mental toughness, saying, “She’s constantly putting herself in a position to contend. You can’t control what other players do, but she’s doing something right to stay relevant and always be in the hunt.” Korda drew a parallel with the men’s game, referencing Sam Burns, who has frequently been in contention at majors without yet capturing a title.
“Eventually he will win. You can’t let those close calls discourage you – they should be encouraging,” she explained during her pre‑tournament press conference. The American also highlighted Hull’s personality, describing her as a “great personality” with a “funny personality” that makes playing with her enjoyable. Korda added, “If she were to win on home soil, it would be fantastic for the game of golf.
It would inspire a whole new generation of fans and players.” Hull, in turn, lauded Korda’s astonishing season, which now includes four worldwide victories. She called Korda’s achievements “unbelievable” for the sport, acknowledging the added pressure that comes with being world No. 1 and dominating for an extended period. Hull emphasized her own philosophy of authenticity, saying, “I’m at a point in my career where I’m just going to be myself.
If people don’t like it, that’s fine. If it inspires the next generation, that’s great. No one can force me in any direction – I’ll play the way I want and stay true to myself.” Korda’s recent form had been remarkably consistent, with ten straight top‑eight finishes worldwide until a surprising missed cut at the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this month, which ended a 34‑event streak of making the cut that spanned nearly two years. She reflected on the Evian result, noting, “Evian is a funky golf course.
I didn’t play badly, honestly. Golf isn’t about being invincible; you can’t expect to make every cut or finish in the top ten every week.
There will be weeks when you just don’t have it, and that’s part of the game. After missing enough cuts, you learn how to bounce back.” Last year’s AIG Women’s Open saw Korda finish runner‑up to Lydia Ko, and a win this week would not only secure her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame but also complete the career Grand Slam—a feat achieved by only a handful of players in the history of women’s golf. Korda admitted that being in contention at a major and feeling the scent of a title can be emotionally charged: “Any time I’m close to a major and I can smell the victory, I get a little emotional.
That’s why we work so hard—early mornings, mental and physical grind—to be in that position.” She also reflected on her previous experiences at the Women’s Open, saying, “Playing in that weather on a links course and being in contention was motivating. It proved to me that I could compete at that level.” For fans in the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open, offering a new Featured Groups package that provides additional live coverage.
The tournament’s schedule includes Featured Groups coverage starting 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 final two rounds beginning at midday over the weekend. Viewers can watch the entire event live on Sky Sports Golf or stream via the Sky Sports app with no contract required.
The stakes are high: Hull hopes to finally break her major drought on home soil, while Korda aims to cap an already historic season with a third major title. Both players bring distinct narratives—Hull’s relentless pursuit of that first major and Korda’s quest for a career Grand Slam—making the AIG Women’s Open a compelling showdown that could shape the future of women’s golf. Whether the outcome favors the seasoned champion or the determined challenger, the tournament promises to deliver drama, skill, and inspiration for fans worldwide.