Nelly Korda has voiced her belief that a win by Charley Hull at the AIG Women’s Open would be a major boost for the sport, while she herself is focused on adding another major title to her résumé at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Korda enters the tournament as the clear favorite, eyeing a historic third major of the season after already securing victories at the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open in what has been a spectacular campaign.
Korda’s triumph at the U.S. Women’s Open was a nail‑biter, a one‑stroke margin over Gaby Lopez and Charley Hull. That narrow win marked Hull’s fifth runner‑up finish in a major, including two second‑place finishes at the AIG Women’s Open in the past three years, yet the English star has still not captured the elusive championship trophy. Ahead of the final major of the year, Hull admitted that the string of near‑misses has been painful.
She noted that the last English woman to win a major was Georgia Hall in 2018, and the weight of those close calls can be heavy. Korda, however, praised Hull’s consistency in her pre‑tournament press conference, saying, “She’s constantly putting herself in a position to contend. You can’t control what other players do, but Hull is doing something right to stay relevant and in the hunt.” Korda drew a parallel with Sam Burns on the men’s side, who has repeatedly been in contention at majors without yet sealing a victory.
“Eventually he will win. You can’t let the lack of a win discourage you – it should actually be encouraging,” she explained. The American also highlighted Hull’s personality, calling her “a great character” and suggesting that a home‑soil major win would be “fantastic for the game of golf.” Korda added that seeing Hull lift the trophy would inspire fans and younger players alike. Hull, in turn, described Korda’s dominant season – four worldwide victories and a world‑No.1 ranking – as “unbelievable” for the sport.
She emphasized that she is at a point in her career where she wants to stay authentic, saying, “If people don’t like who I am, that’s fine. If it inspires the next generation, even better.
I won’t let anyone dictate my direction; I’ll stay true to myself.” Hull explained that staying genuine prevents her from feeling drained, and that embracing opportunities that align with her values helps grow the game and attract viewership. Korda’s recent form had been impeccable, with ten straight top‑eight finishes worldwide, until a surprising missed cut at the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this month broke a 34‑event cut‑making streak that had lasted nearly two years. She described Evian as “a funky golf course” and admitted that even a solid round didn’t guarantee a cut, noting, “Golf isn’t invincible; you’ll have weeks where you don’t hit it.
The key is how you bounce back.” Last year’s AIG Women’s Open saw Korda finish runner‑up to Lydia Ko, and a win this week would not only cement her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame but also complete the career Grand Slam. Reflecting on the disappointment of missing the title in 2024, Korda said, “Whenever I’m in contention and feel the win close, it gets emotional. That’s why we work hard every day, mentally and physically, to stay in the mix.” She recalled the challenge of playing in windy, links‑style conditions at St Andrews, adding that merely being competitive there was a motivating factor. Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland.
For the first time, the network will offer a Featured Groups feed, delivering six extra hours of live coverage. The Featured Groups segment starts at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m., with live action from rounds three and four beginning at midday over the weekend.
The tournament promises high drama: a rising American star chasing a historic third major, an English favorite yearning for a breakthrough on home turf, and a field of world‑class competitors all vying for the coveted Claret Jug. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Golf or stream the coverage without a contract, ensuring that golf enthusiasts worldwide won’t miss a moment of the excitement. In summary, Korda’s confidence that Hull’s potential victory would be “great for golf” underscores the broader impact a major win can have on the sport’s popularity, especially in the UK.
Meanwhile, Korda herself remains laser‑focused on adding another trophy to her collection, aware that every major presents both pressure and opportunity. Whether the AIG Women’s Open crowns a new champion or reinforces Korda’s dominance, the event will undoubtedly shape narratives for women’s golf in the coming years.