Nelly Korda expressed that a victory by Charley Hull at the AIG Women’s Open on home soil would be a tremendous boost for the sport, while she herself is focused on securing another major title at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Korda entered the tournament as the clear favorite to capture a third major of the season, having already added the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open to her résumé in a remarkable run. Her triumph at the U.S.
Women’s Open came by a single stroke over Gaby Lopez, and it left Hull with yet another runner‑up finish in a major – the fifth of her career and the second at the AIG Women’s Open in the past three years – still searching for that elusive first major win. Hull admitted before the final major of the year that the string of near‑misses was painful, especially as Georgia Hall remains the most recent Englishwoman to win a major, back in 2018. Despite the disappointment, Korda praised Hull’s consistency in staying in contention. "She’s the kind of player who consistently puts herself in a position to fight for the title," Korda said during her pre‑tournament press conference.
"You can’t control what other competitors do, but Hull is doing something right to keep showing up, staying relevant, and being in the mix." Korda drew a parallel with the men’s tour, noting Sam Burns’ frequent appearances in major contention without yet sealing a win. "He’s been close many times and eventually he’ll get it. You can’t let those close calls discourage you – they should be motivating," she added.
The American star also highlighted Hull’s personality, saying, "She’s a fantastic character with a great sense of humor. Seeing her win a major at home would be fantastic for the game. She’s an amazing player and a joy to compete with." Hull, in turn, described Korda’s season – which includes four global victories – as "unbelievable" for the sport, acknowledging the extra pressure that comes with being world number one during a dominant stretch. Hull emphasized her desire to stay authentic and true to herself, regardless of public opinion.
"I’m at a point in my career 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 even better.
No one can dictate the direction I take; I’ll follow the path that feels right for me." She explained that staying authentic helps preserve her energy, noting, "When I try to be something I’m not, it drains my battery. I’ve learned to say yes only to the things I genuinely want to do.
If that helps grow the game and draws viewers, great, but I have to stay true to myself first." Korda’s consistency had been remarkable, with ten straight top‑eight finishes worldwide until a surprise missed cut at the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this month, which ended a 34‑event streak of making the cut that stretched back almost two years. She reflected on the Evian result, describing the course as "a funky golf course" and admitting, "I didn’t play that badly, to be honest. Golf isn’t about being invincible; even when you’re playing well you won’t make every cut or finish in the top ten every week.
There will be weeks when things don’t click, and that’s part of the reality. After missing enough cuts, you learn how to bounce back." Korda’s performance at the previous year’s AIG Women’s Open fell short of her expectations; she finished runner‑up to Lydia Ko in 2024.
A win this week would not only add another major to her collection but also secure her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame and complete the career Grand Slam. She admitted that being in contention at a major and feeling the scent of a title can be emotionally charged. "When I’m close to a major and I can almost taste the win, it gets emotional. That’s why we work hard every morning, grinding on the mental and physical aspects of our game to stay in contention," she said.
Korda reflected on her previous experience at St Andrews, where a narrow miss in 2024 left a lingering sting. "Missing out at St Andrews hurt a bit.
Before that I hadn’t had the best results at the Women’s Open – I wasn’t playing my best golf," she explained. Yet she found motivation in the challenge of links golf and the unpredictable weather, saying, "Being able to compete in that weather and stay in the hunt on a links course was motivating because it proved I could contend." The tournament’s broadcast arrangements were also highlighted: Sky Sports holds exclusive rights to the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland, introducing a new "Featured Groups" segment that starts at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage at 1 p.m. The weekend rounds will be shown live from midday, offering six additional hours of coverage compared with previous years.
As the week unfolds, golf fans will be watching closely to see whether Hull can finally break through on home turf and deliver the uplifting story Korda believes the sport needs, or whether Korda will cement her historic season with a third major, completing a career Grand Slam and solidifying her legacy as one of the all‑time greats. Either outcome promises to shape the narrative of women’s golf for years to come, inspiring younger players and drawing new audiences to the game.