Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu have been the standout performers in the women's major championships this year, but the question now is whether anyone can halt their march toward another triumph at the AIG Women's Open this week. It is unprecedented that two golfers have each captured more than one major in a single season: Korda secured victories at the Chevron Championship and the U.S.
Women's Open, while Ryu added the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and then edged out the competition in a dramatic playoff at the Amundi Evian Championship. Both athletes are targeting a historic third major title within the same calendar year, a feat last accomplished by Inbee Park in 2013. Ryu, in particular, hopes to match Park’s achievement of winning three consecutive majors, a benchmark that would cement her status among the sport’s elite. The tournament’s opening rounds at Royal Lytham & St Annes have paired the two stars together, placing them on the early‑late side of the draw.
Korda enters the competition as the clear pre‑tournament favorite, not only because of her recent form but also because a victory would give her a fourth distinct major and complete a 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," former tour professional 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 to date was a tie for second place in the 2024 edition at St Andrews, 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 Royal Lytham & St Annes, with its deep bunkers and undulating fairways, appears tailor‑made for her aggressive yet precise style of play.
Meanwhile, the defending champion Miyu Yamashita returns to Royal Lytham after a breakthrough win at Royal Porthcawl the previous year. Since that triumph, Yamashita has added two LPGA Tour victories to her résumé and is aiming to become the first back‑to‑back women’s major winner since Yani Tseng accomplished the feat in 2011.
"She [Yamashita] is playing great, she had a top‑five finish at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open last week and this golf course will suit her down to a tee," Johnson added, highlighting Yamashita’s recent form and her comfort on links layouts. English hopes are represented by Lottie Woad and Charley Hull, both of whom are eager to become the first Englishwoman to capture a major at the Open since Georgia Hall’s victory here. Woad has posted top‑10 finishes in each of her last two appearances at the AIG Women’s Open, while Hull has been runner‑up in two of the past three editions. "She [Hull] has had five runner‑up finishes in majors, which is brilliant and shows she can go down the stretch," former major champion Dame Laura Davies said.
"I don’t remember her ever letting them go, someone always came and beat her." Davies also praised Woad’s composure: "I’d have her up there as one of my real favourites. I love the way she plays, she’s very calm and she’s handling the limelight really 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 team for Sky Sports, which retains exclusive rights to the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland, includes a mix of former players and seasoned commentators. Trish Johnson will provide analysis for Miyu Yamashita, while Richard Kaufman and Christina Kim will weigh in on Lydia Ko and other contenders. Catriona Matthew, Iona Stephen, Sarah Stirk, Sophie Walker, Jamie Weir, Ali Whitaker, and Dame Laura Davies will each be assigned specific players to follow throughout the week, offering insights into strategy, shot selection, and mental approach. Sky Sports has expanded its coverage this year, introducing a "Featured Groups" segment that begins at 9 a.m.
on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full live coverage at 1 p.m. The weekend rounds will be broadcast from midday, providing viewers with up to six additional hours of live action compared with previous editions.
Fans can also stream the tournament and other golf events without a contract through Sky Sports' online platform. Beyond the headline battle between Korda and Ryu, the tournament promises several storylines worth following. Will Miyu Yamashita defend her title and join the exclusive club of consecutive major winners? Can Charley Hull finally convert her numerous runner‑up finishes into a victory and become the first English major champion in over a decade?
How will Lottie Woad handle the pressure of being a home favorite on a demanding links layout? And which of the rising stars—such as Shannon Tan, Hannah Green, or Mimi Rhodes—might surprise the field with a breakout performance?
The AIG Women’s Open, now in its 50th edition, continues to evolve, attracting a global audience and showcasing the depth of talent across the women’s game. The tournament’s history is marked by dramatic finishes, weather‑affected rounds, and moments of individual brilliance that have helped raise the profile of women’s golf worldwide. As the competition unfolds at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the combination of seasoned veterans, emerging talents, and the unique challenges of a classic links course ensures that the event will be both compelling and unpredictable. Fans are encouraged to tune in throughout the week, follow the live leaderboards, and join the conversation on social media using the official hashtags.
Whether you are rooting for the dominant duo of Korda and Ryu, cheering on a defending champion, or hoping for a home‑grown hero, the AIG Women’s Open promises a week of high‑quality golf, intense competition, and unforgettable moments. Who will ultimately lift the Claret Jug?
The answer will be revealed as the final putts fall on the historic fairways of Royal Lytham & St Annes.