World No. 1 Nelly Korda has been placed in a glittering opening group for the first two rounds of the AIG Women’s Open at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes.
She will tee off alongside back-to-back major champion Haeran Ryu, creating a headline‑making trio that promises early drama for spectators and broadcasters alike. Korda entered the tournament fresh from a stellar season that saw her capture both the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open. Ryu, meanwhile, has added the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship to her résumé, marking the first occasion in the annals of women’s golf that two players have each secured multiple majors in a single season.
Their combined achievements have set the stage for a potential historic feat: either could become the first golfer since Inbee Park in 2013 to claim three major titles within a calendar year. Ryu, who is chasing a third consecutive major, will start at 8:42 a.m.
together with Korda and 2024 champion Lydia Ko. Also featured in the early action is England’s Lottie Woad, who is looking to become the first Englishwoman to win a major since Georgia Hall’s 2018 triumph at the same venue. Ranked fifth in the world, Woad will be paired with Japan’s Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee, forming another compelling three‑ball that will be highlighted in the tournament’s Featured Group coverage on Thursday. The live broadcast will commence at 9:00 a.m.
on Sky Sports Golf, giving fans a front‑row seat to the opening drama. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita will be positioned on the opposite side of the draw, starting at 1:15 p.m. alongside world No.
2 Jeeno Thitikul and Lauren Coughlin. Yamashita is aiming to become the first player since Yani Tseng to win consecutive women’s majors, a challenge that adds further intrigue to the competition. Charley Hull, who has finished runner‑up on two of the last three occasions at this event, will also be part of the late‑early half of the field.
She will be teamed with Australia’s Hannah Green and Canada’s Brooke Henderson, both of whom have proven themselves as consistent performers on the LPGA Tour. Hull hopes to finally break her string of near‑misses and add her name to the list of champions at Royal Lytham. The tournament will feature a one‑tee start for the 144‑player field, with the first tee shot of the day belonging to England’s Alice Hewson at 6:30 a.m. This format ensures a smooth flow of play and allows the event to serve as the final qualifying opportunity for European players aspiring to make the Solheim Cup team.
Team Europe’s roster will be composed of the top two players in the European Solheim Cup points standings, plus the next six eligible players from the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Captain Anna Nordqvist will then announce four captain’s picks live on Sky Sports News on Monday, rounding out a squad that blends experience with emerging talent. The groupings for the first round are as follows: - 07:03 Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Cassie Porter (Australia), Sayaka Takahashi (Japan) - 08:09 Sei Young Kim (South Korea), Rio Takeda (Japan), Yuna Araki (Japan) - 08:20 Hyojoo Kim (South Korea), Minjee Lee (Australia), Mao Saigo (Japan) - 08:31 Lottie Woad (England), Aki Iwai (Japan), Andrea Lee (USA) - 08:42 Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Nelly Korda (USA), Haeran Ryu (South Korea) - 13:15 Miyu Yamashita (Japan), Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand), Lauren Coughlin (USA) - 13:26 Charley Hull (England), Hannah Green (Australia), Brooke Henderson (Canada) - 13:42 Maja Stark (Sweden), Jinhee Im (South Korea), Allisen Corpuz (Philippines) Sky Sports retains exclusive broadcasting rights for the AIG Women’s Open across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
This year, the network has introduced Featured Groups coverage, providing an additional six hours of live golf compared with previous editions. The Featured Groups will be shown from 9:00 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, followed by full coverage beginning at 1:00 p.m.
The third and fourth rounds will be broadcast live from midday over the weekend, ensuring fans can follow every pivotal moment. Beyond the on‑course action, the tournament offers a range of ancillary experiences. Golf enthusiasts can explore the opportunity to book a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland through Sky Sports’ partnership platform, which provides competitive pricing and flexible scheduling. Additionally, the event serves as a showcase for the sport’s growing digital audience, with streaming options available without a long‑term contract, allowing viewers to watch the Open on a variety of devices.
In summary, the AIG Women’s Open promises an early clash of titans with Korda, Ryu, and Ko leading a star‑laden field, while seasoned campaigners like Hull and Yamashita aim to add another chapter to their careers. The combination of historic venue, high‑stakes major titles, and innovative broadcast coverage makes this week’s competition a must‑watch for any golf fan.
Whether you are tuning in via Sky Sports Golf, streaming online, or planning a visit to Royal Lytham & St Annes, the excitement is set to build from the very first tee shot.