Charley Hull and Lottie Woad will leave the Royal Lytham & St Annes course feeling the sting of a "missed opportunity" after falling short of their first major triumph at the AIG Women’s Open, according to former champion Dame Laura Davies. Both English players ended the tournament tied for sixth place, four strokes behind the eventual winner, Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki, who finished at five under par. The final round on Sunday proved decisive.
Woad began the day sitting at three under but quickly unraveled, recording her first over‑par round of the week and slipping down the leaderboard. Hull, who had opened with a birdie, was unable to maintain momentum; two disastrous double‑bogeys on holes three and seven erased much of her early advantage and left her out of contention. "They’ll both see this as a missed opportunity because five under has won it," Davies told Sky Sports Golf.
The four‑time major champion emphasized that the winning score was attainable and that both Hull and Woad were capable of reaching it. "Charley played a little bit in and out, whereas Lottie was really solid; she just didn’t hole enough putts," she added. Hull’s tournament statistics underline the thin margin between victory and disappointment.
Over the four days she compiled 17 birdies, second only to world No. 1 Nelly Korda’s 19.
Korda finished just one stroke ahead of Hull, sharing a tie for fourth place. However, Hull also recorded 12 bogeys, and the two double‑bogeys in the final round proved especially costly. Had she avoided those two mistakes, she would have finished at five under and forced a playoff for the title. Woad’s performance was more consistent but lacked the firepower needed to climb higher.
She posted a flawless 69 in the opening round, then followed with 71 and 70 in the second and third rounds. The final day, however, saw her falter, and she finished four strokes behind the champion. Despite the setback, the 22‑year‑old can take pride in a fifth top‑10 finish in her fledgling career, a result that secures her a debut appearance for Team Europe in the upcoming Solheim Cup.
Commentator Andrew Cotter highlighted Woad’s resilience, noting, "She 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. It’s another top‑10 but just not quite there on this occasion." Davies also reflected on Hull’s mindset after the round. "Charley made a few too many mistakes," she said.
"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.’" Both players have plenty to build on. Hull’s 17 birdies demonstrate her scoring ability, while Woad’s consistent rounds show a steadiness that can translate into future victories.
The experience of contending in a major, even without a win, is invaluable for their development. Looking ahead, the Ladies European Tour will remain in England for the PIF London Championship, which kicks off Thursday at the Centurion Club. Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour will pause for a week before resuming with the Standard Portland Classic from August 13‑16.
Golf fans can continue to follow the action via Sky Sports or streaming platforms, which now offer contracts without long‑term commitments. In summary, Hull and Woad’s near‑miss at the AIG Women’s Open serves as both a lesson and a motivation. The narrow gap between a top‑ten finish and a major title underscores how every putt, every double‑bogey, and every strategic decision can shape the final outcome.
With youth on their side and the support of seasoned mentors like Davies, both players are well‑positioned to convert future opportunities into major victories.