World No. 1 Nelly Korda finds herself placed in a glittering group for the opening rounds of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, sharing the tee with back-to-back major champion Haeran Ryu. The pairing marks a historic moment, as Korda has already captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ryu secured the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this season.
This is the first occasion in the annals of women’s golf that two players have each amassed multiple major titles within a single campaign. Both athletes are now eyeing the rare achievement of winning three majors in a calendar year, a feat not seen since Inbee Park accomplished it in 2013.
Ryu, who is chasing a third consecutive major victory, tees off at 8:42 a.m. alongside Korda and 2024 champion Lydia Ko, creating a marquee three‑ball that promises high drama from the outset.
Adding to the early‑day excitement is England’s Lottie Woad, who will start at 6:30 a.m. in a bid to become the first Englishwoman to claim a major title since Georgia Hall’s triumph at the same venue in 2018.
Ranked fifth in the world, Woad will be paired with Japan’s Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee, forming another compelling trio for the tournament’s opening action. Both of these high‑profile three‑balls will be featured in the new "Featured Group" coverage on Thursday, with live broadcast on Sky Sports Golf beginning at 9 a.m. The defending champion, Japan’s Miyu Yamashita, will be positioned on the opposite side of the draw, starting at 1:15 p.m. alongside world No.
2 Jeongeun Thitikul and American Lauren Coughlin. Yamashita is aiming to become the first player since Yani Tseng to win back‑to‑back women’s majors. Charley Hull, another English contender, will also be part of the later‑early half of the field.
Hull, who has finished runner‑up on two of the last three occasions at this championship, will be teamed with Australia’s Hannah Green and Canada’s Brooke Henderson, creating a strong English‑Australian‑Canadian mix that could prove decisive as the tournament unfolds. The AIG Women’s Open will also feature a one‑tee start for the 144‑player field, with the first shot of the day taken by England’s Alice Hewson at 6:30 a.m. This format ensures a smooth flow of play and allows spectators to follow the action from the very beginning.
The event doubles as the final qualifying opportunity for European players aspiring to earn a spot on the Solheim Cup team. Team Europe’s roster will consist of the top two players from the European Solheim Cup points list, plus the next six highest‑ranked Europeans in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings who have not already qualified. Captain Anna Nordqvist will then announce four captain’s picks live on Sky Sports News on Monday. The provisional European Solheim Cup lineup includes: - Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Cassie Porter (Australia), Sayaka Takahashi (Japan) - Sei Young Kim (South Korea), Rio Takeda (Japan), Yuna Araki (Japan) - Hyojoo Kim (South Korea), Minjee Lee (Australia), Mao Saigo (Japan) - Lottie Woad (England), Aki Iwai (Japan), Andrea Lee (USA) - Lydia Ko (New Zealand), Nelly Korda (USA), Haeran Ryu (South Korea) - Miyu Yamashita (Japan), Jeongeun Thitikul (Thailand), Lauren Coughlin (USA) - Charley Hull (England), Hannah Green (Australia), Brooke Henderson (Canada) - Maja Stark (Sweden), Jinhee Im (South Korea), Allisen Corpuz (Philippines) Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster of the AIG Women’s Open in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The introduction of Featured Groups coverage adds several hours of live golf, extending Sky Sports’ total broadcast time by six hours compared with previous years. The featured group segments will run from 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, preceding the full‑field coverage that begins at 1 p.m. Later in the weekend, live coverage of the third and fourth rounds will commence at midday.
Fans can follow the tournament throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf, with the option to stream via the Sky Sports app without a long‑term contract. For those who prefer to play the sport themselves, Sky Sports also offers discounted rates for booking a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. By entering a city or postcode, golfers can find nearby courses, compare prices, and secure tee times directly through the platform.
In summary, the AIG Women’s Open promises a thrilling start with world‑class talent spread across several high‑profile groups. Whether it is Korda and Ryu’s quest for a third major, Hull’s pursuit of her first major victory, or Yamashita’s attempt to repeat history, the tournament is set to deliver compelling storylines, dramatic golf, and a showcase of the sport’s growing global reach. Viewers are encouraged to tune in, follow the live updates, and experience the excitement of one of women’s golf’s most prestigious championships.