Nelly Korda has voiced her belief that a triumph by Charley Hull at the AIG Women’s Open on home soil would be a huge boost for the sport, even as she herself sets her sights on adding another major to her impressive résumé at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Korda arrives at the tournament as the overwhelming favorite, poised to match the record for three majors in a single season after already securing titles at the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open. Her win at the U.S.
Open was especially dramatic, coming down to a single‑stroke margin over Gaby Lopez and Hull, the latter of whom has now accumulated five runner‑up finishes in major championships—including two at the AIG Women’s Open in the past three years—without yet capturing the coveted trophy. In the lead‑up to what will be the final major of the calendar year, Hull admitted that the string of near‑misses has been painful. She noted that England’s last female major champion, Georgia Hall, lifted the trophy back in 2018, and Hull’s continued close calls have left her yearning for that breakthrough.
Korda, however, praised Hull’s consistency and mental fortitude during her pre‑tournament press conference. "Sometimes it’s about putting yourself in that position to contend," Korda said. "You can’t control what other players do, but Hull is doing something right—she’s always there, she’s relevant, and she’s constantly in the hunt." Korda drew a parallel with the men’s game, mentioning Sam Burns, who has repeatedly found himself in contention at majors without yet sealing a victory. "Eventually he’ll get it.
You can’t get discouraged; it should be encouraging," she added, underscoring the importance of perseverance. She also highlighted Hull’s personality, describing her as a “great personality” and expressing hope that a home‑soil win would resonate beyond the leaderboard. "She’s an amazing player with a funny personality – I enjoy playing with her any time. I think it would be great for the game of golf," Korda said.
Hull, in turn, lauded Korda’s remarkable season, which has already produced four worldwide victories. She called Korda’s achievements "unbelievable" for the sport and noted the added pressure that comes with being world No.
1 during a dominant stretch. "I’m at a stage in my career where I’m just going to be myself," Hull explained.
"If people don’t like it, that’s fine. If it inspires the next generation, that’s great – that’s what I’d like. No one can dictate the direction I take; I’ll stay authentic. Trying to be something I’m not drains my battery.
I’ve learned to say yes to what I truly want, and if that grows the game and gets people watching, that’s fantastic." Korda’s consistency had been astonishing: she recorded ten straight top‑eight finishes worldwide until a surprising missed cut at the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this month, which ended a 34‑event streak of making the cut that spanned nearly two years. "Evian is just a funky golf course," Korda admitted. "I didn’t play that badly, honestly.
Golf isn’t about being invincible; you can’t expect to make every cut or finish in the top ten every week. There will be weeks you just don’t have it, and that’s the reality. I’ve been around long enough to miss enough cuts that it’s all about bouncing back." Last year’s AIG Women’s Open saw Korda finish as runner‑up to Lydia Ko, and a victory this week would not only cement her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame but also complete the career Grand Slam—a feat that would place her among the sport’s legends.
"Whenever I’m in contention at a major and I can smell the title, I get a little emotional," Korda confessed about her narrow miss in 2024. "That’s why we get up early, grind on our game—mentally and physically—to be in contention.
To sniff it at St Andrews hurt a bit, especially after previous editions where I didn’t play well. But being able to compete in that weather on a links course was motivating because I knew I could contend." The broadcast rights for the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland remain with Sky Sports, which this year offers an expanded package: Featured Groups coverage will kick off at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, followed by full coverage from 1 p.m., and live broadcasts of the third and fourth rounds will begin at midday over the weekend. In total, viewers will enjoy six additional hours of live golf compared with previous years.
The tournament promises high drama, with two of the sport’s brightest stars—Korda, who is chasing a historic third major, and Hull, who is desperate for her first—both vying for the title. Whether Hull can finally break her runner‑up streak and deliver the “great for golf” moment Korda envisions, or whether Korda will seize the opportunity to complete her Grand Slam, remains to be seen. Fans can follow every swing live on Sky Sports Golf or stream the action with a flexible, contract‑free subscription.
Beyond the immediate stakes, the event highlights broader themes in women’s golf: the growing depth of talent, the increasing media coverage, and the inspirational power of role models like Hull and Korda for the next generation of players. As the competition unfolds on the historic links of Royal Lytham & St Annes, the sport will watch closely, hoping for a breakthrough victory that could energize audiences worldwide and further elevate women’s golf on the global stage.