Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu have been the dominant forces in women’s major championships this year, but the question now is which of them, if either, will be able to extend that dominance into the AIG Women’s Open this week. For the first time in the history of the LPGA, two players have secured multiple major titles in a single season. Korda captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S.
Women’s Open, while Ryu added the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and then clinched the Amundi Evian Championship in a dramatic playoff. Their achievements have set the stage for a potential historic sweep, as both are eyeing the rare feat of winning three majors in a calendar year – a milestone last accomplished by Inbee Park in 2013.
Ryu, in particular, hopes to match Park’s three‑consecutive‑major run. The tournament will be staged at the storied links of Royal Lytham & St Annes, with the opening two rounds featuring Korda and Ryu on the early‑late side of the draw. Korda enters as the pre‑tournament favourite, not only because of her recent form but also because a win would give her a fourth distinct major, completing the coveted career Grand Slam.
"There’s no question that this year she [Korda] has been a different character – she certainly seems happier in herself and is in a good place," veteran English golfer Trish Johnson told Sky Sports. "She has had a stunning season and everything has been working perfectly for her.
It will be an interesting week because this is a golf course that should suit her. When she is at her very best, in my opinion she is head and shoulders above everyone else." Korda’s best finish at the AIG Women’s Open came earlier this year when she tied for second at the St Andrews edition, a tournament that saw Lydia Ko claim the title and share a memorable three‑ball with Korda and Ryu.
That performance demonstrated Korda’s ability to contend on links courses, and the familiar conditions at Royal Lytham could prove advantageous. The field also includes defending champion Miyu Yamashita, who burst onto the scene with a breakthrough victory at Royal Porthcawl last season.
Since then, Yamashita has added two LPGA Tour wins and is aiming to become the first back‑to‑back Women’s Open champion since Yani Tseng achieved the feat in 2011. Johnson praised Yamashita’s recent form, noting a top‑five finish at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open and her natural affinity for the links layout. British hopes are represented by Lottie Woad and Charley Hull, both seeking to become the first English player to win a women’s major since Georgia Hall’s triumph at the same venue. Woad has posted top‑10 finishes in each of her previous two AIG Women’s Open outings, while Hull has been runner‑up in two of the last three editions.
Dame Laura Davies highlighted Hull’s consistency, saying, "She has had five runner‑up finishes in majors, which is brilliant and shows she can go down the stretch. I don’t remember her ever letting them go; someone always came and beat her." Davies also expressed confidence in Woad, describing her as a calm competitor who handles pressure well: "She doesn’t get too up and doesn’t get too down and normally, around a links course, you’re going to get some bad breaks. If you can handle them better than the rest, you might be the one standing with the trophies." The broadcast side of the event is being handled exclusively by Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
For the first time, the network will offer a "Featured Groups" segment, beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage at 1 p.m. Weekend action – covering the third and fourth rounds – will commence at midday.
In total, Sky Sports will provide six additional hours of live coverage compared with previous years, giving fans ample opportunity to follow the drama as it unfolds. Beyond the headline names, the tournament field is peppered with notable players and commentators who will add depth to the coverage.
Analysts such as Richard Kaufman, Christina Kim, Catriona Matthew, Iona Stephen, Sarah Stirk, Sophie Walker, Jamie Weir, Ali Whitaker, and others will share insights on the contenders, including rising stars like Gaby Lopez, Shannon Tan, Hannah Green, Mimi Rhodes, Valentine Delon, Aki Iwai, Allisen Corpuz, Lauren Coughlin, and Brooke Henderson. The AIG Women’s Open is more than just a competition; it is a showcase of the growing depth and global reach of women’s golf. The tournament’s history, dating back to 1894, reflects the evolution of the sport, and the current roster of talent underscores how far the game has progressed. With multiple major winners, seasoned veterans, and hungry newcomers all vying for the Claret Jug, the stakes could not be higher.
Fans are encouraged to tune in throughout the week to watch live coverage on Sky Sports Golf or to stream the action via the network’s no‑contract streaming service. Whether you are rooting for the seasoned champions, hoping for a surprise breakthrough, or simply enjoying the spectacle of world‑class golf on a classic links layout, the AIG Women’s Open promises to deliver excitement, drama, and perhaps a new chapter in the annals of women’s golf history.