Charley Hull has been candid about the perceived rivalry with world No. 1 Nelly Korda as the AIG Women’s Open approaches, acknowledging that the string of near‑victories in major championships has taken an emotional toll. The English golfer, currently ranked seventh globally, is among the favorites at Royal Lytham & St Annes, where she hopes to become the first Englishwoman to capture a major title since Georgia Hall’s breakthrough win at the same venue in 2018. Hull’s record in majors reads like a series of close calls: she has finished runner‑up twice in the past three editions of the AIG Women’s Open and has amassed five second‑place finishes overall in major tournaments.
One of those runner‑up finishes came at the U.S. Women’s Open in June, where she was bested by Korda, adding a personal sting to the growing narrative of a rivalry. When asked about the comparison, Hull brushed it aside, emphasizing that the focus should be on her own quest for a first major. "I don’t really see it as a rivalry at the minute, because no offence, Nelly has got however many majors and I’ve got none," she said at a press conference.
"I’ve got five second places. Let me get my major in first and then that’s something we can think about in the future.
What Nelly is doing for the game of golf is unbelievable and so good to watch – she’s a nice girl, as well." Hull’s remarks reflect a blend of admiration for Korda’s meteoric rise and a clear determination to break her own streak of near‑misses. She recalled walking past the trophy display on the first day of the previous year’s tournament, thinking, "I wish that was me." Those words capture the frustration of repeatedly coming within striking distance of the sport’s biggest prize without finally crossing the finish line. The upcoming AIG Women’s Open is not only a personal milestone for Hull but also a historic opportunity for British golf. Lottie Woad, the highest‑ranked Englishwoman in the field and currently world No.
5, echoed similar sentiments, describing a win at Royal Lytham & St Annes as a "dream" for any British player. Woad, who has posted top‑10 finishes in her last two appearances at the Open, highlighted the unique challenges of links golf – the wind, the undulating terrain, and the occasional unpredictable bounce – and expressed excitement about the chance to test her skills on a course she loves. Both Hull and Woad are part of a broader surge of British talent on the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour.
Hull noted the growing depth of English and Scottish players, many of whom are on the cusp of turning professional. This resurgence bodes well for the future of the sport in the United Kingdom and adds extra intrigue to the major championship, especially with the Solheim Cup looming in September. Hull’s recent form, however, has been a mixed bag. While she secured a runner‑up finish at the U.S.
Women’s Open, that result stands as her only top‑15 finish in her last seven starts. At the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open the week before, she posted a tied‑44th place after a dramatic quadruple‑bogey on the ninth hole of the opening round.
Hull explained the mishap, saying, "It was me, but the pin shouldn’t have been there. I saw a birdie putt roll off the green, texted the commissioner straight after the round, and realized the pin was about a yard from a massive slope on a downslope. I had a 12‑foot birdie putt and ended up with a nine.
I had four chips up the slope, but I shouldn’t have putted off the green. It just shows that even the world No.
1 can make a nine." She added that despite the disappointment, she managed to salvage the hole with a ten‑foot putt and even celebrated with a fist‑bump, underscoring her resilient mindset. "I thought it was a pretty good nine by the end of it," Hull said, emphasizing that mistakes are part of the game and that she remains focused on the bigger picture – winning a major.
The tournament itself promises extensive coverage. Sky Sports holds exclusive broadcasting rights in the UK and Ireland, offering a new "Featured Groups" segment that begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, followed by full live coverage from 1 p.m. The weekend rounds will be shown from midday, providing fans with up to six additional hours of live golf compared with previous years.
As the field assembles on the storied links of Royal Lytham & St Annes, the narrative is clear: Charley Hull is determined to turn her five second‑place finishes into a victory, while Nelly Korda continues to chase a potential fifth major of the season. Whether the rivalry will intensify or remain a respectful acknowledgment of each other's achievements remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the AIG Women’s Open will deliver drama, skill, and the timeless allure of links golf.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Golf or stream the coverage without a contract, ensuring that the excitement reaches a global audience eager to witness who will finally break through and claim the coveted major trophy.