Korda Drawn into Star-Studded Group as Hull Starts Late-Early

World No. 1 Nelly Korda will find herself sharing the first two rounds of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes with a glittering line‑up that includes back‑to‑back major champion Ha Rin Ryu.

The pairing marks a historic moment, as Korda has already captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ryu secured the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this season.

No other duo has ever claimed multiple majors in a single campaign, making this a truly unprecedented grouping. Both players are now on a quest that could see them become the first golfers since Inbee Park in 2013 to win three majors in a calendar year. Ryu, who is chasing a third consecutive major title, tees off at 8:42 a.m. alongside Korda and 2024 champion Lydia Ko, creating a three‑ball that promises high drama and elite golf right from the opening day.

English hopeful Lottie Woad also enjoys early‑morning action as she attempts to become the first Englishwoman to capture a major since Georgia Hall’s 2018 triumph at the same venue. Ranked fifth in the world, Woad will be grouped with Japan’s Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee, giving her a solid but competitive set of partners.

Both marquee three‑balls will be featured in the new "Featured Group" coverage on Thursday, with Sky Sports Golf broadcasting live from 9 a.m. The defending champion, Japan’s Miyu Yamashita, will be on the opposite side of the draw, starting at 1:15 p.m. alongside world No.

2 Jeongeun “Jeeno” Thitikul and American Lauren Coughlin. Yamashita is aiming to become the first player since Yani Tseng to win back‑to‑back women’s majors, a feat that would cement her status among the greats of the game. Charley Hull, who has finished runner‑up on three occasions in the last four years at Royal Lytham, will be part of the late‑early half of the field. She will be paired with Australian Hannah Green and Canadian Brooke Henderson, both of whom have previously stood on the winner’s podium at major championships.

Hull hopes to finally break the pattern and claim her first major title at the course where she has come so close before. The tournament will feature a one‑tee start for the 144‑player field, with the opening tee shot at 6:30 a.m.

for England’s Alice Hewson. This format ensures a compact schedule and maximises the amount of live golf that can be shown on television. The AIG Women’s Open also serves as the final qualifying event for European players hoping to earn a place on the Solheim Cup team. Team Europe’s Solheim Cup roster will be assembled from 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 who have not already qualified.

The remaining four spots will be filled by captain’s picks, which will be announced live on Sky Sports News on Monday. The announced European contingent includes seasoned veterans such as Anna Nordqvist of Sweden, as well as rising stars like Cassie Porter (Australia) and Sayaka Takahashi (Japan).

The full list of featured groups for Thursday’s opening round is as follows: - 07:03 – Anna Nordqvist (SWE), Cassie Porter (AUS), Sayaka Takahashi (JPN) - 08:09 – Sei Young Kim (KOR), Rio Takeda (JPN), Yuna Araki (JPN) - 08:20 – Hyo‑joo Kim (KOR), Minjee Lee (AUS), Mao Saigo (JPN) - 08:31 – Lottie Woad (ENG), Aki Iwai (JPN), Andrea Lee (USA) - 08:42 – Lydia Ko (NZL), Nelly Korda (USA), Ha Rin Ryu (KOR) - 13:15 – Miyu Yamashita (JPN), Jeeno Thitikul (THA), Lauren Coughlin (USA) - 13:26 – Charley Hull (ENG), Hannah Green (AUS), Brooke Henderson (CAN) - 13:42 – Maja Stark (SWE), Jinhee Im (KOR), Allisen Corpuz (PHI) Sky Sports retains exclusive broadcasting rights for the AIG Women’s Open across the UK and Ireland. The introduction of Featured Group coverage adds six extra hours of live action to the schedule, giving viewers unprecedented access to the tournament’s most compelling storylines.

Full coverage will commence at 1 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with round three and four action moving to a midday start over the weekend.

Fans can follow every swing, putt and dramatic moment throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf, or stream the event via the Sky Sports app without a long‑term contract. For those who prefer to play the game themselves, the article also highlights the ability to book a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland at competitive rates.

In summary, the AIG Women’s Open promises a week of high‑stakes golf, featuring a blend of seasoned champions, rising talents, and historic firsts. Whether you are rooting for Korda and Ryu to chase a third major, hoping for an English breakthrough from Hull or Woad, or watching Yamashita’s bid for consecutive titles, the tournament offers a rich tapestry of narratives that will keep golf enthusiasts glued to their screens from the first tee shot to the final putt.