As the AIG Women’s Open celebrates its 50th anniversary, golf fans can tune in to Sky Sports for a showdown that could rewrite history. Among the contenders, Nelly Korda and Charley Hull are poised to make a decisive push for the coveted major title at the storied links of Royal Lytham & St Annes. The current women’s major season has been dominated by two standout performers: Nelly Korda and Hae-ran Ryu.
Both have already secured two major victories this year, putting them within striking distance of matching the record for most major wins in a single calendar year. Korda captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ryu triumphed at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Evian Championship.
This marks the first occasion in LPGA history that two players have each claimed multiple majors in the same season. Only six individuals—across both the men’s and women’s games—have ever won three majors in a single year.
If either Korda or Ryu adds the AIG Women’s Open to their résumé, they will join an exclusive club that includes legends such as Ben Hogan (1953) and Tiger Woods (2000) on the men’s side, and Inbee Park (2013) on the women’s side, who matched the achievements of Babe Zaharias (1955), Mickey Wright (1961) and Pat Bradley (1986) by winning the first three majors of a season. Both Korda and Ryu are also in contention for the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award, which honors the player with the best major‑season record.
A third major win could be the deciding factor in that race, adding another layer of intrigue to the competition at Royal Lytham. Korda’s recent form has been a roller‑coaster.
After a surprising missed cut at the Evian Championship—a tournament where she entered as the pre‑tournament favorite—she rebounded by winning the U.S. Women’s Open, securing her third distinct major title of the year. That victory extended her streak of made cuts to 34 tournaments, a run that was abruptly halted in France.
The missed cut reminded everyone that even dominant players can face setbacks, but it also heightened the stakes for her pursuit of a career Grand Slam. In women’s golf, a career Grand Slam is defined as winning four of the five current majors, a benchmark that reflects the evolving status of major championships over time. Korda now has a fresh opportunity to claim the missing piece of that puzzle. She finished tied‑second to Lydia Ko at St Andrews in 2024, and a triumph at Royal Lytham would make her the first woman since Inbee Park to complete the Grand Slam.
Beyond the personal milestones, a win at the AIG Women’s Open would also bring Korda closer to LPGA Hall of Fame induction. She currently needs two more points toward the Hall of Fame criteria, and a fifth major victory—combined with her 20th LPGA Tour win—would secure those points and cement her legacy. The tournament also offers a chance for other rising stars to make their mark. Miyu Yamashita, a 13‑time winner on the LPGA of Japan Tour, burst onto the international scene last year with a dramatic two‑shot victory over Charley Hull at Royal Porthcawl.
Since then, she has added a Maybank Championship title on the LPGA Tour and a thrilling playoff win at the Meijer LPGA Classic. Her recent form includes a top‑five finish at the Evian Championship and another strong showing in Scotland, positioning her as a legitimate contender for the Open. British golf history is also woven into the fabric of this event. It has been three decades since Dame Laura Davies captured her fourth major title, and since then, several British players have triumphed at Royal Lytham.
Alison Nicholas won the U.S. Women’s Open in 1997, Karen Stupples claimed the AIG Women’s Open in 2004, and Catriona Matthew became Scotland’s first female major champion in 2009, just weeks after giving birth to her second child. More recently, Georgia Hall secured a two‑stroke victory in 2018. Charley Hull, who has finished as runner‑up five times in majors—including twice at this venue—will be eager to finally break through, while Lottie Woad hopes to improve on her consistent top‑10 finishes in previous Opens.
The event is expected to draw over 50,000 spectators throughout the week, many of whom are hoping to witness another home‑grown champion. At the same time, the tournament serves as a final qualifying opportunity for European players aiming to make the Solheim Cup team.
Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist, who will not be a playing captain this year, is finalising her roster. She has already secured eight automatic qualifiers and will announce her four captain’s picks soon. Players such as Chiara Tamburlini, Helen Briem, Agathe Laisne, Cara Gainer, Lottie Woad, Maja Stark, Celine Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant and Esther Henseleit are all in contention for those spots, with world rankings and LET points playing a crucial role. The Solheim Cup implications add another strategic layer to the competition.
European players who perform well at Royal Lytham could strengthen their case for inclusion, while Nordqvist faces “hard phone calls” as she balances form, experience, and team chemistry. For viewers in the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open. This year the network is offering an expanded coverage package, including Featured Groups programming that begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m.
The weekend rounds will be shown live from midday, providing a total of six additional hours of live golf compared with previous years. In summary, the AIG Women’s Open promises a compelling blend of historic milestones, personal quests for major glory, and the ever‑present drama of team qualification.
Whether it will be Nelly Korda adding a third major to her 2024 tally, Hae‑ran Ryu matching her feat, a breakthrough for Charley Hull, or a surprise victory from a rising talent like Miyu Yamashita, the tournament is set to deliver unforgettable moments for fans worldwide. Catch all the action live on Sky Sports Golf, or stream the coverage without a contract for uninterrupted access to this landmark event.