World No. 1 Nelly Korda finds herself placed in a glittering grouping for the opening two rounds of the AIG Women's Open at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes course. Sharing the tee with back-to-back major champion Haeran Ryu, Korda will have to navigate the early stages of the tournament alongside one of the sport's most dominant forces. Korda entered the championship after a spectacular season that saw her capture the Chevron Championship and the U.S.
Women's Open, cementing her status as the current leader of the women's game. Ryu, meanwhile, has already added the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship to her résumé, marking the first occasion in golf history that two players have each secured multiple major titles within a single season. Their combined firepower makes this early grouping a marquee matchup that fans and analysts will be watching closely. Both players are now eyeing the rare achievement of winning three majors in a calendar year, a feat not accomplished since Inbee Park completed the trifecta in 2013.
Ryu, who is chasing a third consecutive major, tees off at 8:42 a.m. alongside Korda and 2024 champion Lydia Ko, creating a three‑ball that promises high‑stakes drama from the very first hole.
In another notable early‑day pairing, England's Lottie Woad is set to make history by attempting to become the first Englishwoman to win a major since Georgia Hall's 2018 triumph at the same venue. Ranked world No. 5, Woad will be grouped with Japan's Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee, offering a blend of experience and youthful ambition that could produce a breakthrough performance. Both of these high‑profile three‑balls will be featured in the new "Featured Group" coverage on Thursday, with live broadcasts beginning at 9:00 a.m.
on Sky Sports Golf. The defending champion, Japan's Miyu Yamashita, will be placed on the opposite side of the draw, giving her a separate path to potentially become the first back‑to‑back women's major winner since Yani Tseng.
Yamashita is scheduled to start at 1:15 p.m. alongside world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand and American Lauren Coughlin, forming a trio that could set the tone for the middle of the field. Charley Hull, another English favorite, will be positioned in the late‑early half of the draw, hoping to improve on her two runner‑up finishes at this championship over the past three years.
Hull will be paired with Australian Hannah Green and Canadian Brooke Henderson, both of whom have proven themselves as consistent major contenders. The tournament will also showcase a unique one‑tee start for the 144‑player field, with England's Alice Hewson opening the action at 6:30 a.m.
This early start underscores the event's commitment to delivering continuous, high‑quality golf from dawn until dusk. Beyond the individual storylines, the AIG Women's Open serves as the final qualifying opportunity for European players aiming to secure a place on the Solheim Cup team. Team Europe will be composed of the top two players in the European Solheim Cup points list, plus the next six eligible players from the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings.
Former champion Anna Nordqvist will then announce four captain's picks live on Sky Sports News on Monday, completing the roster. The confirmed Solheim Cup hopefuls include: - Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Cassie Porter (Australia), Sayaka Takahashi (Japan) - Sei Young Kim (South Korea), Rio Takeda (Japan), Yuna Araki (Japan) - Hyojoo Kim (South Korea), Minjee Lee (Australia), Mao Saigo (Japan) - Lottie Woad (England), Aki Iwai (Japan), Andrea Lee (USA) - Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Nelly Korda (USA), Haeran Ryu (South Korea) - Miyu Yamashita (Japan), Jeeno Thitikul (Thailand), Lauren Coughlin (USA) - Charley Hull (England), Hannah Green (Australia), Brooke Henderson (Canada) - Maja Stark (Sweden), Jinhee Im (South Korea), Allisen Corpuz (Philippines) Sky Sports retains exclusive broadcasting rights for the AIG Women's Open across the UK and Ireland, and this year introduces "Featured Groups" coverage for the first time, adding six extra hours of live golf to the schedule.
The featured groups will be shown from 9:00 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, with full coverage of the tournament commencing at 1:00 p.m. Rounds three and four will be broadcast live from midday over the weekend, ensuring fans can follow every pivotal moment. For viewers who want to stay engaged throughout the week, Sky Sports Golf offers a subscription that can be streamed without a long‑term contract, providing flexible access to all the action.
Golf enthusiasts can also take advantage of special offers to book a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, making it easy to experience the sport firsthand. In summary, the AIG Women's Open promises a compelling blend of historic ambition, fresh talent, and seasoned expertise. With Korda and Ryu leading a star‑studded early grouping, Lottie Woad chasing a national milestone, and Miyu Yamashita aiming to repeat her major triumph, the tournament is set to deliver drama from the very first tee. Tune in to Sky Sports Golf for continuous coverage and witness which of these elite athletes will etch their names into the annals of women's golf history.