The climax of the women’s major season arrives this week with the AIG Women’s Open, and Sky Sports is set to deliver its most comprehensive live coverage to date from the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes. The tournament, which marks the final showdown of the year’s premier events, will be broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports, offering fans unprecedented access to every round, including new Featured Groups segments that will bring additional storylines and player focus to the screen.
Defending champion Miyu Yamashita returns to Royal Lytham after her breakthrough victory at Royal Porthcawl last season. The Japanese star is now aiming to become the first back‑to‑back winner of the AIG Women’s Open since Yani Tseng accomplished the feat in 2011. Yamashita’s composure and precision have made her a formidable contender, and she will be looking to repeat her clutch performance on a course that rewards both strategic shot‑making and mental resilience. Pre‑tournament odds have favored American Nelly Korda, who entered the event with two major titles already secured this year – the Chevron Championship and the U.S.
Women’s Open. A win at Royal Lytham would not only give her a third major of the season but also secure her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame and complete the career Grand Slam, a milestone that has eluded only a handful of the sport’s legends. Korda’s powerful swing and calm under pressure have made her the player to watch, and her pursuit of history adds an extra layer of intrigue to the competition.
Meanwhile, South Korean prodigy Haeran Ryu, fresh off victories at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship, is chasing a third consecutive major. Ryu’s recent form has been nothing short of spectacular, and she will be eager to add another trophy to her rapidly growing résumé.
Other notable challengers include Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, who has been steadily climbing the world rankings, and South Korea’s Hyojoo Kim, both of whom possess the skill set to contend on the demanding links layout. British hopes are also well represented. Charley Hull and Lottie Woad are among the home players hoping to break through and claim their first major title, which would make them the first Englishwoman to win a major since Georgia Hall’s triumph at the 2018 Women’s Open. Their presence adds a local narrative that resonates with the UK audience, especially as this tournament also serves as the final qualifying event for Europe’s Solheim Cup team, set to compete in September.
Sky Sports has announced that this year’s broadcast will feature live action from all four rounds, a first for the network. In addition to the main feed, the new Featured Groups coverage will spotlight specific players, provide deeper analysis, and bring fans closer to the strategic nuances of each round. The schedule includes a live broadcast of the final day on Sunday, August 2, at 12 pm, with one‑hour highlight packages airing each evening at 11 pm and rebroadcast the following morning.
The complete final round will be replayed in its entirety on the Monday after the tournament, ensuring that viewers who miss the live action can still experience the drama in full. Royal Lytham & St Annes, a venue steeped in history, is one of the most iconic courses on the R&A’s roster. It has hosted The Open Championship eleven times and served as a Ryder Cup venue twice.
This will be the sixth time the club hosts the AIG Women’s Open. The course stretches to 6,601 yards and plays as a par‑71 for this edition, featuring over 170 pot bunkers that line the fairways and a unique opening par‑three that sets the tone for the round.
The layout demands precision off the tee, strategic bunker navigation, and deft short‑game skills, making it a true test of a player’s all‑round abilities. The tournament also commemorates a centennial milestone: 2026 marks 100 years since Royal Lytham first hosted The Open, a historic event won by the legendary Bobby Jones. Over the past century, the course has witnessed champions such as Bobby Locke, Peter Thomson, Bob Charles, Tony Jacklin, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros (who won twice), David Duval, and Ernie Els lift the Claret Jug. On the women’s side, the most recent British winners at Royal Lytham have been Catriona Matthew in 2009 and Georgia Hall in 2018, underscoring the course’s significance for home players.
For viewers, Sky Sports offers multiple ways to watch. Sky customers can tune in via Sky Sports Golf or catch highlights on Sky Sports Main Event throughout the week.
The Sky Sports app provides on‑the‑go access, while non‑Sky customers can stream the tournament without a long‑term contract using a NOW Day pass or a flexible month‑to‑month option. A dedicated live blog will run alongside the broadcast, offering minute‑by‑minute updates for fans on the move. Additionally, near‑live clips and post‑round highlights will be available for free on the Sky Sports app, ensuring that even casual viewers can stay up to date.
Sky subscribers also have access to Sky iD support, helping them manage their account credentials and personalize their viewing experience. As the tournament unfolds, the network encourages fans to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for real‑time news, videos, feature stories, and expert analysis. In summary, the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes promises a thrilling conclusion to the women’s major season, with a field stacked with defending champions, rising stars, and seasoned veterans all vying for a historic victory.
Sky Sports’ expanded live coverage, enriched by new Featured Groups segments and comprehensive streaming options, ensures that fans worldwide can witness every swing, putt, and dramatic moment as it happens. Whether you are cheering for Miyu Yamashita’s back‑to‑back triumph, Nelly Korda’s quest for a career Grand Slam, or a home hopeful’s dream of breaking a national drought, the tournament offers a compelling narrative that will captivate golf enthusiasts everywhere.