Lydia Ko has openly declared that she intends to "tap into her inner Foxy" as she sets her sights on adding another major championship to her résumé at the AIG Women's Open. The New Zealand star was visibly moved after fellow countryman Ryan Fox clinched a dramatic victory at The Open, a moment that has sparked fresh motivation for Ko as she prepares for the upcoming women's major. Fox's win at Royal Birkdale was nothing short of spectacular.
After trailing by eight strokes at the halfway mark, he posted a historic third‑round 62, tying the best score ever recorded in a men’s major at that stage. On the final day he birdied two of his last three holes, sealing a one‑stroke triumph that made him only the third New Zealander to ever capture a men’s major title. The last time a Kiwi had lifted the Claret Jug was back in 1963, when Bob Charles triumphed at Royal Lytham & St Annes – the very same venue where Ko will be competing for her fourth major and a second AIG Women’s Open crown. In her pre‑tournament press conference Ko said, "I would love to keep the dice rolling.
I’m super‑excited for Foxy [Ryan Fox] and for New Zealand golf after his win at Royal Birkdale. I don’t think I’ve ever been as nervous and as thrilled watching someone else play.
His back‑nine performance over the weekend was simply incredible. It would be great to channel my inner Foxy and bring that same fearlessness to my own game in the days ahead." The emotional impact of Fox’s victory on Ko was palpable.
She recounted watching the final moments from the west coast of the United States, trying to stream the event on her phone after her television failed. "I went to work out and kept asking for The Open to be turned on," she laughed, "but nothing worked on the TV, so I was glued to my phone. I completely forgot my workout because my focus was entirely on the tournament. I took an Uber home, and as soon as I arrived I saw the 18th‑hole drive.
I was relieved and pumped at the same time. I slammed the door, screamed, and my husband rushed in asking what was happening.
Ten seconds later I was crying – it was an emotional roller‑coaster. I can only imagine how Ryan felt at that moment!" Ko’s own major record this season has been a mixed bag. She missed the cut in the first two women’s majors of the year, but rebounded with a solid performance at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, where she finished tied for 15th after a slow start.
She followed that with a seventh‑place finish at the Amundi Evian Championship, demonstrating that she still possesses the competitive edge needed to contend on golf’s biggest stages. Now, as the AIG Women’s Open approaches, Ko will line up alongside other top players such as Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu – both multiple major winners in 2026. The course at Royal Birkdale presents a formidable test, even for seasoned champions.
Ko admitted that this edition feels like the toughest Women’s Open she has ever played. "When I was here in 2018, I remember being in a lot of bunkers that are still in my memory bank. This year the layout feels almost brand new. They’ve made subtle adjustments to a few holes, but overall it’s a very demanding course.
Even on a perfect day the conditions are tough, so winning here would feel especially rewarding." She added, "If I can win after Ryan’s Open victory, it would be incredibly meaningful and empowering for golf back home in New Zealand. It would show that our country can produce champions on both the men’s and women’s sides of the sport." The tournament will be broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, with an expanded “Featured Groups” coverage slot that begins at 9 a.m.
on Thursday and Friday, followed by full live coverage from 1 p.m. each day.
The final two rounds will be shown live from midday over the weekend, giving fans ample opportunity to follow the drama as it unfolds. Beyond the television coverage, the AIG Women’s Open will also be streamed through various digital platforms, allowing viewers worldwide to watch the competition without a long‑term contract.
Golf enthusiasts can subscribe to Sky Sports or use the streaming service to catch every swing, putt, and moment of tension as the world’s best women golfers vie for the coveted title. Ko’s determination to embody the boldness and confidence displayed by Ryan Fox underscores a broader narrative of New Zealand’s rising prominence in the global golf arena.
With Fox’s historic Open win fresh in the collective memory, Ko hopes to translate that energy into her own performance, aiming not just for personal glory but also to inspire the next generation of Kiwi golfers. As the opening rounds commence, all eyes will be on Ko, Korda, Ryu, and the rest of the field to see who can master the challenging links and claim the AIG Women’s Open trophy.