Lydia Ko has openly declared that she wants to "tap into her inner Foxy" as she sets her sights on another major victory at the AIG Women's Open. The New Zealand star was moved to tears after fellow Kiwi Ryan Fox clinched a dramatic one‑shot win at The Open, a triumph that has sparked fresh motivation for Ko.

Fox's victory at Royal Birkdale was nothing short of sensational. Coming from eight strokes behind at the halfway mark, he fired a historic third‑round 62, matching the lowest round ever recorded in a men’s major. He then birdied two of his final three holes on Sunday to seal the win, becoming only the third New Zealand golfer to capture a men’s major title. His triumph was the first for the country at The Open since Bob Charles lifted the Claret Jug in 1963 at Royal Lytham & St Annes, the very venue where Ko will now compete for her fourth major and a second AIG Women’s Open crown.

"I would love to keep the dice rolling," Ko said in her pre‑tournament press conference, her excitement palpable. "I’m super‑excited for Foxy [Ryan Fox] and for New Zealand golf after his win at Royal Birkdale. I’ve never been this nervous and thrilled watching someone else play. His back‑nine performance over the weekend was simply incredible.

It would be amazing to channel my inner Foxy and bring that same fearlessness to my own game over the next few days." The emotional impact of Fox’s win on Ko was evident. She recounted how, while working out on the west coast of the United States, she tried repeatedly to switch on a television broadcast of The Open, only to end up watching the climax on her phone. "I was so focused on his final drive that I completely forgot my workout," she laughed.

"When I got home, I saw his birdie on the 18th and I just erupted. My husband rushed in asking what was happening, and ten seconds later I was crying.

It was an overwhelming mix of relief, joy and pure emotion. I can only imagine how he felt in that moment." Ko’s own major record this season has been a mixed bag. She missed the cut at the first two women’s majors of the year, but rebounded with a solid performance at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, finishing tied‑15th after a slow start.

She then posted a seventh‑place finish at the Amundi Evian Championship, showing that she can still contend when she finds her rhythm. Now, at 29, she will line up alongside multiple major winners such as Nelly Korda and Ha‑Ran Ryu during the opening rounds of the AIG Women’s Open.

The course, which has undergone subtle changes since Ko’s 2018 triumph, presents a fresh set of challenges that she describes as "the toughest Women’s Open I have ever played." "The layout feels almost new to me," Ko explained. "Even on a perfect day the course plays very hard, with deep bunkers that are etched in my memory.

When you win on a venue of this calibre, the sense of pride is amplified. If I can lift the trophy now, especially after Fox’s historic win, it would be incredibly meaningful for New Zealand golf and incredibly empowering for the sport back home." Beyond the personal stakes, the tournament itself promises extensive coverage. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Sky Sports holds exclusive rights to the AIG Women’s Open, offering a new "Featured Groups" segment that begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m.

The weekend rounds will be broadcast live from midday, providing fans with up to six additional hours of live action compared with previous years. Viewers can also stream the event without a contract through Sky’s online platform, ensuring that the drama of Ko’s quest reaches a global audience.

As the tournament unfolds, the narrative of two New Zealand golfers chasing historic milestones will captivate fans worldwide. Ko’s desire to emulate Fox’s fearless approach, combined with her own experience and determination, sets the stage for a compelling storyline. 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 underscores the depth of her ambition. The coming days will reveal if the emotional surge from her compatriot’s triumph can indeed fuel another major victory for New Zealand golf.