Lydia Ko has openly declared that she wants to "channel her inner Foxy" as she sets her sights on adding another major championship to her résumé at the AIG Women's Open. The New Zealand star was moved to tears after witnessing fellow Kiwi Ryan Fox clinch a dramatic victory at The Open, and she hopes to draw on his fearless performance to fuel her own quest for glory.

Fox's triumph came at Royal Birkdale, where he secured a one‑shot win with a clutch birdie on the final hole. The 39‑year‑old’s achievement marked only the third time a New Zealand male has captured a major title, and the first Open victory for the country since Bob Charles lifted the Claret Jug in 1963 at Royal Lytham & St Annes. That same historic venue will host Ko as she chases her fourth major and a second AIG Women's Open crown. "I would love to keep the dice rolling," Ko said during her pre‑tournament press conference.

"I’m super‑excited for Foxy [Ryan Fox] and for all of New Zealand golf after his win at Royal Birkdale. I’ve never been this nervous and excited watching someone else play.

His back‑nine performance over the weekend was simply incredible. It would be great to channel my inner Foxy and bring that fearlessness to my own game in the days ahead." Fox’s path to victory was dramatic.

He started the third round eight strokes off the lead but fired a historic 62, tying the lowest round ever recorded in a men’s major. That surge left him just two shots behind the leader heading into the final day, and he closed the tournament by birdieing two of his last three holes to seal the win. Ko, who was following the action from the west coast of the United States, described how the moment impacted her.

"I tried to work out and everywhere I went I was like, ‘please turn on The Open.’ The TV wouldn’t work, so I watched on my phone. I can’t even remember my workout because my focus was entirely on the tournament. I took an Uber home, and as soon as I arrived I saw Fox on the 18th hole.

When I saw that drive I felt a rush of relief and excitement. I slammed the door and screamed. My husband ran out asking what was happening, and ten seconds later I was crying.

It was an emotional roller‑coaster, and I can only imagine how he felt watching it with me." The emotional response underscores how deeply Fox’s win resonated with the New Zealand golf community and how it has inspired Ko to elevate her own performance. Ko’s own recent major record has been mixed. She missed the cut in the first two women’s majors of the season, but she rebounded with a tied‑15th finish at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship after a slow start and a shared seventh place at the Amundi Evian Championship.

Now, at the AIG Women’s Open, Ko will line up alongside other top competitors such as Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu—both multiple major champions in 2026. The tournament’s first two rounds will test her skill and mental resilience as she aims to capture the trophy for the second time in three years. "Winning would be very special," Ko reflected. "This feels like the toughest Women’s Open I’ve ever played.

I can’t recall exactly what I thought back in 2018—maybe I was stuck in a lot of bunkers that are still in my memory. The course feels almost new now.

They’ve tweaked a few holes, but it remains a demanding layout. Even on a perfect day it plays hard. To win on a course of this calibre would make me feel incredibly proud." She added that a victory would carry significance beyond her personal achievement.

"With Foxy having won The Open, a win for me would be incredibly meaningful and empowering for golf in New Zealand. It would show that our country can produce champions across both the men’s and women’s games." The AIG Women’s Open is being broadcast exclusively by Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland. This year, Sky Sports is offering a new "Featured Groups" segment, providing additional coverage starting at 9 a.m.

on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full live coverage at 1 p.m. The final rounds will be shown live from midday over the weekend. Viewers can also stream the event through Sky Sports' contract‑free service, giving fans flexible options to follow the competition. As the tournament unfolds, the question on everyone’s mind is who will lift the Claret Jug for the women’s side.

Ko’s determination to emulate Ryan Fox’s fearless approach, combined with her own experience and talent, makes her a strong contender. Whether she can translate that inspiration into a second AIG Women’s Open title remains to be seen, but her commitment to channeling that inner "Foxy" spirit suggests she will give the competition everything she has. The weeks ahead promise high drama, intense competition, and the potential for another historic moment for New Zealand golf.