Nelly Korda has voiced her belief that a triumph 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 favourite to become the first player this season to match the record of three majors, having already secured victories at the Chevron Championship and the U.S.
Women’s Open in an extraordinary run. Korda’s win at the U.S. Women’s Open came by a single stroke over Gaby Lopez and Hull, who now finds herself with five runner‑up finishes in major championships – two of those occurring in the last three years at the AIG Women’s Open – yet the elusive first major victory continues to evade her. In a pre‑tournament press conference, Hull admitted that the string of near‑misses “hurts,” especially as the last Englishwoman to capture a major was Georgia Hall back in 2018.
Despite the disappointment, Korda praised Hull’s consistency, noting that being in contention repeatedly is a sign that something is working in her game. "Sometimes it’s just about putting yourself in that position to contend," Korda said. "You can’t control what other players do, but Hull is doing something right to stay relevant and always be in the hunt." Korda drew a parallel with Sam Burns on the men’s side, a player who has frequently been in the mix at majors without yet sealing a victory.
She argued that repeated close calls should be motivating rather than discouraging, because they demonstrate that a player is on the right track. "It’s kind of like Sam Burns. He’s been close a lot in majors and hasn’t won yet, but eventually he will. You can’t get discouraged – it has to be encouraging," Korda explained.
When asked about Hull’s personality, Korda was effusive. She described Hull as a “great personality” with a “funny personality” and said that a home‑soil major win would be wonderful for both the player and the sport. "She’s an amazing player, and I enjoy playing with her any time. I think it would be great for the game of golf," Korda added.
Hull, for her part, called Korda’s season – which includes four worldwide victories – “unbelievable” for the sport. She acknowledged the extra pressure that comes with being world No. 1, especially during periods of dominance. Hull emphasized that she is at a stage in her career where she wants to be authentic, regardless of external expectations.
"I’m at a point where I’m just going to be myself. If people don’t like it, that’s fine. If it inspires the next generation, that’s great – that’s what I’d like," Hull said.
"No one can dictate the direction I take; I’ll go where I feel authentic. When I’m true to myself, I don’t feel drained, and if that helps grow the game and draws viewers, that’s a bonus." Korda’s recent form had been nearly flawless, with ten straight top‑eight finishes worldwide until a surprise missed cut at the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this month, ending a 34‑event streak of making the cut that spanned almost two years. She described Evian as a “funky golf course” and admitted that even a solid round can result in a missed cut.
"I didn’t play that badly, honestly. Golf isn’t about being invincible – you can’t expect to make every cut or be in the top ten every week," Korda said. "There will be weeks when you just don’t have it, and that’s the reality.
I’ve missed enough cuts now to know that the key is how you bounce back." Last year’s AIG Women’s Open saw Korda finish runner‑up to Lydia Ko, and a victory this week would not only secure her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame but also complete the career Grand Slam. She admitted that being in contention at a major and falling short can be emotionally taxing. "Any time I’m in contention and I sniff the title, I get a little emotional," Korda confessed about the 2024 disappointment. "That’s why we get up early, work on our game mentally and physically, to be in contention.
To sniff it at St Andrews hurt a bit, because I hadn’t had the best results at the Women’s Open before." She added that playing well in difficult weather on a links course was a motivating factor, proving to herself that she could compete at the highest level under challenging conditions. The broadcast rights for the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland remain with Sky Sports, which is offering an expanded “Featured Groups” coverage for the first time, adding six extra hours of live action.
The featured groups begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage at 1 p.m., with live rounds three and four kicking off at midday over the weekend. Golf fans can follow the tournament throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf, or stream via the Sky Sports app without a contract. Overall, the narrative surrounding the AIG Women’s Open this year is one of anticipation and intrigue.
Korda is chasing a historic third major of the season, while Hull hopes to finally break her runner‑up streak on home soil. Their mutual respect and admiration add a human element to the competition, and the expanded coverage promises fans a more immersive viewing experience. Whether it’s Korda completing a career Grand Slam or Hull delivering a breakthrough victory for English golf, the tournament promises high drama, compelling storylines, and a chance for the sport to attract new audiences worldwide.