Korda Drawn into Star-Studded Group as Hull Starts Late-Early

World No. 1 Nelly Korda has been placed into a high‑profile grouping for the opening two rounds of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, sharing the tee with back‑to‑back major champion Ha Ryu. The pairing pits two of the sport’s most successful players of the season against each other, offering spectators a glimpse of a potential showdown between the reigning Chevron Championship and U.S.

Women’s Open winner and the recent KPMG Women’s PGA and Amundi Evian champion. This marks the first occasion in the history of women’s golf that two players have captured multiple major titles within the same calendar year, underscoring the depth of talent on display. Both Korda and Ha Ryu are chasing a historic third major in 2024, a feat not achieved since Inbee Park’s triple‑major run in 2013.

Ha Ryu, who is attempting to secure a third consecutive major victory, tees off at 8:42 a.m., alongside Korda and 2024 champion Lydia Ko. The early start adds an extra layer of excitement, as fans will be watching three of the world’s top‑ranked golfers battle for an early advantage on the challenging links course.

English hopeful Lottie Woad also finds herself in early action, aiming to become the first Englishwoman to win a major since Georgia Hall’s triumph at the same venue in 2018. Ranked No.

5 globally, Woad will be paired with Japan’s Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee, forming a trio that promises competitive play and potential breakthroughs for the younger players. These marquee three‑ball groupings will be featured in the new "Featured Group" coverage on Thursday, with live broadcasting on Sky Sports Golf beginning at 9:00 a.m. The format allows viewers to follow the leaders in real time, a service that is being highlighted for the first time in the tournament’s history.

Defending champion Miyu Yamashita, who is seeking to become the first back‑to‑back women’s major winner since Yani Tseng, will start later in the day at 1:15 p.m., alongside world No. 2 Jeongeun Lee (Thitikul) and American Lauren Coughlin. Charley Hull, another English contender, is placed in the late‑early half of the draw.

Hull, who has finished runner‑up twice at this event over the past three years, will partner with Australian Hannah Green and Canadian Brooke Henderson. Their group offers a blend of experience and recent form, and they will be looking to convert past near‑misses into a victory at the historic links.

The tournament also serves as the final qualifying event for European players aspiring to make the Solheim Cup team. England’s Alice Hewson will open the competition at 6:30 a.m., reflecting the one‑tee start format used for the 144‑woman field.

Team Europe’s composition will include the top two players from the European Solheim Cup points list, plus the next six eligible players from the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Captain Anna Nordqvist will then announce four captain’s picks live on Sky Sports News, completing the squad. The full list of featured groups is as follows: - 07:03 Anna Nordqvist (SWE), Cassie Porter (AUS), Sayaka Takahashi (JPN) - 08:09 Sei‑Young Kim (KOR), Rio Takeda (JPN), Yuna Araki (JPN) - 08:20 Hyo‑joo Kim (KOR), Minjee Lee (AUS), Mao Saigo (JPN) - 08:31 Lottie Woad (ENG), Aki Iwai (JPN), Andrea Lee (USA) - 08:42 Lydia Ko (NZL), Nelly Korda (USA), Ha Ryu (KOR) - 13:15 Miyu Yamashita (JPN), Jeongeun Lee (THA), Lauren Coughlin (USA) - 13:26 Charley Hull (ENG), Hannah Green (AUS), Brooke Henderson (CAN) - 13:42 Maja Stark (SWE), Jinhee Im (KOR), Allisen Corpuz (PHI) Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland, providing six additional hours of live coverage compared with previous years.

The Featured Groups segment begins at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, followed by full coverage of the tournament at 1:00 p.m.

Rounds three and four will be streamed live from midday over the weekend, giving fans ample opportunity to follow the action. For viewers who wish to watch the tournament throughout the week, Sky Sports Golf offers a subscription‑free streaming option with no long‑term contract required. Golf enthusiasts can also explore booking tee times at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland through the platform’s integrated service, which allows searches by course name, city, or postal code.

In summary, the AIG Women’s Open promises a compelling start with world‑class talent grouped together in high‑stakes early rounds. Whether it is Korda and Ha Ryu battling for a potential third major, Hull seeking redemption after near‑wins, or Yamashita aiming to repeat her historic back‑to‑back triumph, the tournament offers a rich narrative for fans and a showcase of the sport’s growing depth and international appeal.