Charley Hull has made it clear that she does not view her relationship with world No. 1 Nelly Korda as a rivalry, at least not at this moment, and she is focused on securing her first major championship before any comparisons become relevant. The English golfer, currently ranked seventh in the world, entered the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes with the hope of becoming the first Englishwoman to lift the trophy since Georgia Hall’s breakthrough victory at the same venue in 2018.
Hull’s résumé includes two runner‑up finishes at the AIG Women’s Open in the past three years and a total of five second‑place finishes in major championships, the most recent being a close loss to Korda at the U.S. Women’s Open in June. During her pre‑tournament press conference, Hull explained that she respects Korda’s achievements but does not consider them a personal rivalry. "No offense, Nelly has already collected several majors while I’m still waiting for my first," Hull said.
"I have five second‑place finishes, which is both encouraging and frustrating. My priority is to get over the line and win my first major. Once that happens, we can talk about any rivalry later." Hull praised Korda’s game, describing it as "unbelievable" and "a joy to watch," and added that Korda is a "nice girl" off the course as well.
Hull’s frustration with near‑misses is palpable. She recalled walking past the trophy display on the first day of last year’s tournament and thinking, "I wish that was me." Those five runner‑up finishes have left a lingering sting, but they also demonstrate that Hull consistently positions herself among the sport’s elite. Her determination to break through is evident in her comments about the mental challenge of repeatedly finishing second.
"It hurts to be so close and not win," she admitted, "but it also fuels my desire to finally claim a major title." The AIG Women’s Open itself has undergone a dramatic transformation over recent years, evolving from a modest event into a marquee tournament that attracts the world’s best players. The 2026 edition promises to be a showcase of talent, with Korda entering as the defending champion of the first two majors of the season and a strong contender for a fifth major this week. Hull, meanwhile, is eager to add her name to the list of champions and to prove that she can convert her consistent high finishes into a victory. Hull’s recent form has been a mixture of highs and lows.
In her last seven starts, the only top‑15 finish came at the U.S. Women’s Open, where she was runner‑up. Conversely, at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open she posted a tied‑44th result after a disastrous quadruple‑bogey nine on the opening day.
Hull explained the mishap, noting that a misplaced pin forced her to putt from a steep slope, resulting in a nine on a hole where she had a 12‑foot birdie opportunity. "Everyone makes mistakes, even the world No.
1," she said, emphasizing that even top players can have a bad hole. She also highlighted her resilience, recalling that she managed to sink a ten‑foot putt later in the round, a small victory that helped her regain confidence. Other English players are also eyeing success at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Lottie Woad, currently the highest‑ranked Englishwoman in the field, expressed her ambition to win what she described as a "dream" major.
Woad, ranked fifth in the world, has already recorded top‑10 finishes in her previous two AIG Women’s Open appearances and is looking to improve on those results. She spoke about her love for links golf, acknowledging the challenges posed by wind and unpredictable bounces, and noting that the limited opportunities to play on such courses make each round feel special. "Links golf is fun but tricky," Woad said. "You need a bit of luck with the wind and the bounces, but I enjoy the unique shots it forces you to make." The tournament will be broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, with an expanded "Featured Groups" coverage slot that begins at 9 a.m.
on Thursday and Friday, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m. The weekend rounds will be shown from midday, providing viewers with up to six additional hours of live golf compared with previous years.
Fans can also stream the event without a contract through Sky Sports’ online platform, ensuring that the drama of the final women’s major of the year reaches a broad audience. Looking ahead, the AIG Women’s Open serves as a pivotal moment in the season, not only because it crowns the final major champion but also because it sets the stage for the upcoming Solheim Cup, where Team Europe will make its debut in September. Both Hull and Woad are expected to play key roles for Europe, and a strong performance at Royal Lytham could boost their confidence heading into that team competition.
In summary, Charley Hull approaches the 2026 AIG Women’s Open with a clear focus: secure her first major victory and put an end to the string of second‑place finishes that have both proven her talent and caused frustration. While she acknowledges Nelly Korda’s extraordinary play and respects her as a competitor, Hull insists that any rivalry can only be discussed after she has achieved her own major win. The tournament promises high‑stakes drama, with Hull, Korda, and other rising stars like Lottie Woad all vying for the prestigious title on the historic links of Royal Lytham & St Annes.