Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu have been the dominant forces in women’s major championships this year, but the question now is which of them, if either, will be able to extend their winning streak at the AIG Women’s Open this week. This tournament marks a historic moment: for the first time ever two players have secured multiple major titles in a single season. Korda captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ryu followed her triumph at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship with a dramatic playoff win at the Amundi Evian Championship.
Both athletes are eyeing a rare achievement – becoming the first golfer since Inbee Park in 2013 to win three majors in a calendar year. Ryu, in particular, hopes to mirror Park’s feat of three consecutive major victories, a milestone that would cement her status among the greats of the game. The opening rounds at Royal Lytham & St Annes have paired the two stars together, placed on opposite ends of the early‑late draw.
Korda enters the competition as the pre‑tournament favorite, with many commentators noting that a fourth major win – this one on a links course – would complete her career Grand Slam, a coveted accomplishment in professional golf. "There’s no doubt that this year she [Korda] has become a different character – she looks genuinely happier with herself and seems to be in a great mental place," former tour player Trish Johnson told Sky Sports. "She’s had an extraordinary season, everything has clicked for her.
The course at Lytham should suit her perfectly. When she’s at her best, in my view, she’s head and shoulders above the rest of the field." Korda’s previous best finish at the AIG Women’s Open came in 2024, when she tied for second place at St Andrews, a tournament that was ultimately won by Lydia Ko.
That week Ko, Korda, and Ryu formed a memorable three‑ball partnership that captured the attention of fans worldwide. The broadcast rights for the event are held exclusively by Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, and the network is offering an expanded coverage package this year, including a new "Featured Groups" segment that will run from 9 a.m.
on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf. Full live coverage will commence at 1 p.m., with the third and fourth rounds streamed from midday over the weekend.
Viewers can also stream the tournament without a contract through Sky’s online platform. Another storyline to watch is the return of Miyu Yamashita, the defending champion who claimed her breakthrough victory at Royal Porthcawl last year. Since then, Yamashita has added two LPGA Tour titles to her résumé and is aiming to become the first back‑to‑back women’s major winner since Yani Tseng achieved the feat in 2011.
Johnson praised Yamashita’s form, noting her recent top‑five finish at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open and her affinity for the links layout at Lytham. "She [Yamashita] is playing superbly, she just posted a top‑five at the Scottish Open last week and this course will suit her down to the tee," Johnson added, highlighting the Japanese star’s confidence heading into the competition.
On the home front, English hopefuls Lottie Woad and Charley Hull are eager to deliver the first English major win since Georgia Hall’s triumph at the same venue. Woad has recorded top‑10 finishes in each of her two previous AIG Women’s Open appearances, while Hull has been runner‑up in two of the last three editions. Dame Laura Davies, a stalwart of the women’s game, praised Hull’s consistency, saying, "She has five runner‑up finishes in majors, which shows she can go down the stretch. I can’t recall a time she let a lead slip away; someone always came along and beat her." Davies also expressed confidence in Woad, stating, "I’d put her among my real favourites.
She plays with calm composure and handles the spotlight well. She doesn’t get overly high or low, and on a links course you’ll encounter bad breaks. If you manage those better than anyone else, you could be the one standing with the trophies." The tournament’s broadcast team features a rotating panel of experts, each assigned to a specific player for the "Featured Groups" coverage.
Among them are Trish Johnson covering Miyu Yamashita, Richard Kaufman also on Yamashita, Christina Kim on Lydia Ko, and Catriona Matthew on Yamashita as well. Additional analysts include Iona Stephen and Sarah Stirk focusing on Lottie Woad, Sophie Walker on Haeran Ryu, Jamie Weir on Yamashita, Ali Whitaker on Nelly Korda, and Dame Laura Davies on Minami Katsu.
The lineup continues with commentators such as Gaby Lopez, Shannon Tan, Hannah Green, Mimi Rhodes, Valentine Delon, Aki Iwai, Allisen Corpuz, Lauren Coughlin, and Brooke Henderson, each bringing insight into their assigned competitors. Beyond the on‑course action, the AIG Women’s Open continues to grow in stature and viewership. The 2026 schedule places the major among a packed calendar of women’s golf events, with key dates for other majors and high‑profile tournaments highlighted throughout the season. Analysts note that the Open’s rise in popularity has been "unrecognisable" compared to a decade ago, thanks in part to increased media exposure, sponsorship, and the emergence of a new generation of talent.
Fans are encouraged to tune in via Sky Sports Golf for continuous live coverage, or to stream the event through Sky’s contract‑free platform for flexible viewing. Whether you’re rooting for the seasoned champions, the rising Japanese star, or the hopeful English contenders, the AIG Women’s Open promises a week of thrilling golf, dramatic narratives, and the chance to witness history in the making. Who will ultimately lift the Claret Jug?
Follow the tournament live, join the conversation on social media, and share your predictions as the world watches some of the finest women golfers compete for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.