Hull downplays rivalry with "incredible" Korda: "Let me win a major first!"

Charley Hull has made it clear that she does not view her relationship with world number one Nelly Korda as a true rivalry, especially as the AIG Women’s Open approaches. The English golfer, who sits at seventh in the world rankings, has endured a string of near‑misses in major championships and admits that the repeated runner‑up finishes have taken an emotional toll. Hull enters Royal Lytham & St Annes with the hope of becoming the first Englishwoman to capture a major title since Georgia Hall’s breakthrough win at the same venue in 2018. Over the past three years, Hull has finished second twice at the AIG Women’s Open and has accumulated five runner‑up placings in majors overall, including a loss to Korda at the U.S.

Women’s Open in June. When asked about the supposed rivalry, Hull responded in a press conference, "I don’t really see it as a rivalry at the minute, because no offence, Nelly has got however many majors and I’ve got none.

I’ve got five second places. Let me get my major in first and then that’s something we can think about in the future." She praised Korda’s game, calling it "unbelievable" and adding that the American is a "nice girl" and a joy to watch. The pressure of those close calls is evident in Hull’s comments: "Five second‑place finishes in majors kind of hurts.

I remember walking past the trophies on day one last year and thinking, ‘I wish that was me.’" The desire to finally break through and stand atop the winner’s podium fuels her preparation for the upcoming major. Hull’s recent form has been a mixture of highs and lows. Her runner‑up finish at the U.S.

Women’s Open remains her only top‑15 result in the last seven starts. At the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open she posted a tied‑44th finish after a disastrous quadruple‑bogey nine on the opening round. Hull explained the mishap, saying, "It was me, but the pin shouldn’t have been there.

I saw a birdie putt roll off the green and texted the commissioner straight after the round. The pin was about a yard from a massive slope and it was on a downslope going towards a slope. I had a 12‑foot putt for birdie and walked off with a nine.

I had four chips up the slope, but I shouldn’t have putted off the green. It just shows that I’m human and even the world No.1 can make a nine." She added, "I thought it was a pretty good nine by the end of it. I holed a ten‑foot putt – I even fist‑bumped!" The candid admission underscores the fine line between brilliance and error that even elite players navigate on demanding links courses.

Among the English contingent, Lottie Woad stands out as the highest‑ranked home player and has expressed a strong desire to claim a "dream" major title, especially after the last two AIG Women’s Opens at Royal Lytham were won by British golfers. Woad, currently world number five, told the media, "For any British player, this would be the dream to win.

I love links golf; the wind and the unpredictable bounces make it a true test, and it’s always been my favourite to watch." Woad highlighted the growing depth of British talent on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, noting that many of her friends are on the cusp of turning professional or concluding distinguished amateur careers. "I think British golf is in a great spot," she said, reflecting optimism about the future pipeline of players. Her own record includes top‑10 finishes in her previous two AIG Women’s Open appearances, and she hopes to add another strong performance in what will be the final women’s major of the season, ahead of her Solheim Cup debut for Team Europe in September.

Woad also spoke about the unique challenges of links golf: "It can be tricky, definitely need a little bit of luck with the bounces and the wind. I enjoy playing this type of golf because you only get to play it a couple of times a year, which makes those special shots feel even more rewarding than on the typical courses in the United States." Broadcast coverage of the tournament will be handled exclusively by Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.

For the first time, the network will offer Featured Groups coverage, adding six additional hours of live action compared with previous years. The Featured Groups segment begins at 9 a.m.

on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage at 1 p.m. The weekend rounds, three and four, will be shown live from midday.

Fans wondering who will lift the Claret Jug can follow the competition throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf, or stream the event via the Sky Sports platform without a long‑term contract. The tournament promises a dramatic showdown between seasoned contenders like Hull, who is eager to convert her string of second‑place finishes into a victory, and rising stars such as Korda, whose dominant form this season includes two major wins already. The blend of seasoned experience, youthful ambition, and the unpredictable nature of links golf ensures that the AIG Women’s Open will be a memorable chapter in women’s golf history.