As the AIG Women's Open celebrates its 50th anniversary, the tournament promises a host of compelling storylines that will unfold on Sky Sports' live coverage. Among the headline contenders are Nelly Korda and Charley Hull, both eager to secure a major championship at the historic links of Royal Lytham & St Annes. The current LPGA season has been largely defined by the dominance of two players: Nelly Korda of the United States and South Korea's Haeran Ryu. Each has already claimed two major titles this year, putting them within striking distance of matching the record for most major victories in a single calendar year.
Korda captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women's Open, while Ryu triumphed at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Evian Championship. This marks the first occasion in LPGA history that two competitors have amassed multiple majors in the same season. Only a handful of golfers—six across both the men's and women's tours—have ever won three majors in a single year.
The elite club includes legends such as Ben Hogan (1953) and Tiger Woods (2000) on the men's side, and Inbee Park, who swept the first three majors in 2013, joining the ranks of Babe Zaharias (1955), Mickey Wright (1961) and Pat Bradley (1986) who each achieved a similar feat. Korda and Ryu now stand poised to join this exclusive group if they can add the AIG Women's Open to their trophy cabinets. Both players are also in contention for the prestigious Rolex ANNIKA Major Award, which honors the LPGA player with the most impressive major record over a season.
The award could ultimately be decided by whichever golfer secures the next major title, making the AIG Women's Open a pivotal event for the season's narrative. Korda's recent form has been a study in contrasts. After a surprising missed cut at the Evian Championship—a tournament where she entered as the pre‑tournament favorite—she rebounded by winning the U.S. Women's Open, her third distinct major.
That victory extended her pursuit of a career Grand Slam, a term that now applies to players who have won four of the five current majors, reflecting the evolving status of women's major championships over time. Earlier this year, Korda finished tied for second behind Lydia Ko at St Andrews, and she will be looking to improve on that performance at Royal Lytham & St Annes. A win would make her the first woman since Inbee Park to complete a Grand Slam, adding a fifth major to her résumé and solidifying her legacy.
Moreover, a fifth major would also provide the two additional points she needs to secure automatic entry into the LPGA Hall of Fame, a milestone that has eluded her thus far. The tournament also offers a chance for other rising stars to make their mark. Miyu Yamashita, a dominant force on the LPGA of Japan Tour with 13 victories, has been gaining recognition after her breakthrough win at last year's Women's Open, where she held off Charley Hull by two strokes at Royal Porthcawl. Since then, Yamashita has added an LPGA Tour victory at the Maybank Championship and claimed the Meijer LPGA Classic in a dramatic playoff against Lottie Woad.
Her recent form includes four top‑five finishes in her last six worldwide starts, highlighted by a shared fourth place at the Evian Championship and a shared fifth at the Scottish Open. Yamashita will be eager to defend her title and prove that her success is no fluke. British golf history also looms large over the event.
It has been three decades since Dame Laura Davies secured her final major, and the last few editions of the Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes have produced homegrown champions. Catriona Matthew became Scotland's first female major winner in 2009, triumphing just weeks after giving birth to her second daughter. In 2018, Georgia Hall captured a two‑stroke victory, further cementing the venue's reputation as a fertile ground for British success.
Charley Hull, a five‑time runner‑up in major championships—including two close calls at this very tournament—will be looking to finally break through. Her consistency and experience make her a strong contender, while fellow Briton Lottie Woad hopes to build on her recent top‑10 finishes in the event. The crowd of more than 50,000 expected throughout the week will be hoping for another local champion to emerge. Beyond the individual battles, the tournament serves as a crucial checkpoint for the Solheim Cup selection process.
Team Europe’s captain, Anna Nordqvist, will be finalising her squad, with several players using the Open as a last opportunity to impress. Nordqvist has confirmed she will not serve as a playing captain, leaving the decision‑making to her eight automatic qualifiers and four captain's picks. Players such as Chiara Tamburlini, Helen Briem, Agathe Laisne and Cara Gainer are in contention for those spots, while seasoned Europeans like Lottie Woad, Maja Stark, Celine Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant and Esther Henseleit are already positioned in the world‑ranking slots. Emerging talents like Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Dewi Weber and Mimi Rhodes also have a chance to boost their Solheim Cup prospects with a strong showing.
Sky Sports will provide exhaustive coverage of the event, offering a new "Featured Groups" segment that begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage starting at 1 p.m. The weekend rounds will be broadcast live from midday, giving viewers ample opportunity to follow the drama as it unfolds. In summary, the 2026 AIG Women's Open is shaping up to be a landmark tournament, featuring a blend of established stars, hungry newcomers, and historic British aspirations.
Whether Nelly Korda can add another major to her collection, Charley Hull can finally capture her first, or Miyu Yamashita can defend her title, the event promises high‑stakes golf, compelling narratives, and the chance for history to be written on the storied links of Royal Lytham & St Annes.