Charley Hull and Lottie Woad will undoubtedly look back on Sunday’s finale at the AIG Women’s Open as a "missed opportunity" to secure their inaugural major title, according to former champion Dame Laura Davies. Both English players finished the tournament tied for sixth, four strokes shy of the eventual champion, Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki, who closed at five under par. The pair entered the final round with realistic hopes of mounting a charge, but the pressure of the closing day proved decisive. Woad began the day three strokes under par, having posted a bogey‑free 69 in the opening round, but she faltered on the back‑nine and recorded her first over‑par round of the week, eroding the cushion she had built.
Hull, who had opened with a birdie and seemed poised to stay within striking distance, was undone by two disastrous double‑bogeys on holes three and seven, each swing costing her a vital stroke and ultimately dashing her playoff aspirations. "They’ll both see this as a missed opportunity because five under won it," Davies told Sky Sports Golf, reminding the audience that the winning score was modest by major standards. "Charley played a little bit in and out, whereas Lottie was really solid; she just didn’t hole enough putts." Hull’s week was a study in contrast.
She amassed 17 birdies over four rounds – the second‑most of any competitor, trailing only world No. 1 Nelly Korda’s 19 birdies – yet she also recorded 12 bogeys, including the two costly double‑bogeys on the final day. Had she avoided those four strokes, Hull would have finished at five under and forced a playoff with Kuwaki. Davies summed up Hull’s performance succinctly: "Charley made a few too many mistakes, and that’s just the way she plays golf; she goes full‑out attack.
She was pretty disciplined this week, but I think she’ll think, ‘I was only four back and I should have been in there right at the death.’" Woad’s story was equally compelling, if bittersweet. After a flawless 69 to start the tournament, she posted rounds of 71 and 70, keeping her within touching distance of the leaders. However, on Sunday she could not sustain the momentum, slipping back as the leaderboard tightened.
Commentator Andrew Cotter noted, "Woad didn’t roll in enough putts, but she continues this remarkable run of three Women’s Open Championships played and a third top‑10. Again she shows her quality and a major will surely happen for her in the future – she’s only 22 years old." Despite the disappointment, both players can take solace in several positives. Hull’s 17 birdies underline her aggressive, scoring‑capable style, and her ability to stay in contention through three rounds of major championship golf bodes well for future attempts.
Woad, at just 22, already boasts five top‑10 finishes on the Ladies European Tour and has secured her first Solheim Cup berth for Team Europe, a testament to her consistency and rising stature. The tournament itself provided a dramatic narrative. Kuwaki’s victory marked a breakthrough for the Japanese star, who edged out Germany’s Franziska Henseleit in a tightly contested finish.
The final leaderboard was packed with seasoned veterans and emerging talent, illustrating the depth of the women's game. The AIG Women’s Open, held at the historic links of Royal Lytham & St Annes, once again showcased the strategic challenges of links golf – wind, firm fairways, and treacherous bunkers – demanding precision and mental toughness from all competitors. Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will remain on English soil for the PIF London Championship, set to begin Thursday at the Centurion Club. Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour will pause for a week before resuming action at the Standard Portland Classic from August 13‑16.
Fans can continue to follow the unfolding storylines via Sky Sports or various streaming platforms, ensuring that the excitement of women’s golf stays front‑and‑center throughout the summer season. In summary, while Hull and Woad fell short of a maiden major triumph, their performances were far from failures. Both demonstrated the skill, composure, and competitive fire required to contend at the highest level.
With youth on their side and valuable experience gained, the next major could very well see either of them break through and lift the coveted trophy. The missed opportunity of this week may simply be the catalyst that fuels their future successes.