As the 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open approaches, the anticipation is building for what promises to be a historic week at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and two of the sport’s brightest stars, Nelly Korda and Charley Hull, are among the contenders hoping to add another major to their résumés. The current women’s major season has been defined by the dominance of two players: Nelly Korda and Ha‑Rin Ryu. Both athletes have already secured two major titles this year, putting them in position to match the record for the most majors won in a single calendar year.

Korda captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ryu triumphed at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Evian Championship. This marks the first occasion in LPGA history that two different players have each claimed multiple majors in the same season.

Only a handful of golfers—six in total, across both the men’s and women’s tours—have ever won three majors in a single year. If either Korda or Ryu can claim the AIG Women’s Open, they will join an exclusive club that includes legends such as Ben Hogan (1953) and Tiger Woods (2000) on the men’s side, and Inbee Park, Babe Zaharias (1955), Mickey Wright (1961) and Pat Bradley (1986) on the women’s side. Inbee Park’s 2013 feat of winning the first three majors of the season remains a benchmark for modern players. Both Korda and Ryu are also in contention for the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award, which recognizes the LPGA player with the strongest major‑championship record over a season.

A third major victory would likely tip the scales in favor of one of them, making the AIG Women’s Open a decisive battleground for that honor. One of the biggest storylines heading into the tournament is Korda’s unexpected missed cut at the Evian Championship earlier this year.

As a four‑time major winner in the current season, she entered the Evian as a heavy favorite, and her early exit shocked many observers. That disappointment, however, set the stage for a potential redemption narrative at Lytham. Korda’s recent form has been impressive despite the Evian setback.

She had a 34‑tournament streak of making the cut that was snapped in France, but she remains on track to complete a career Grand Slam. After winning the U.S. Women’s Open, she now holds three different major titles.

A victory at Royal Lytham would give her the fourth distinct major needed to join the elite group of players who have won four of the five current majors—a status that, under the modern definition of the women’s Grand Slam, would qualify her for the career Grand Slam. Her past performances at this venue provide additional motivation. Korda finished tied for second behind Lydia Ko at St Andrews in 2024, and she will be eager to improve on that result.

A win would also secure her 20th LPGA Tour title, her fifth major, and the two points required to cement her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame. The tournament also offers a chance for a new British champion.

It has been 15 years since Yani Tseng became the last player to win back‑to‑back women’s majors, a feat she achieved with a 2010 victory at Royal Birkdale followed by a win at Carnoustie in 2011. Japanese rising star Miyu Yamashita, a dominant force on the LPGA of Japan Tour with 13 victories, will be looking to break that drought. Yamashita made a splash on the global stage last year by holding off Charley Hull for a two‑stroke win at Royal Porthcawl, and she has continued to build momentum with a Maybank Championship title and a dramatic playoff win at the Meijer LPGA Classic.

Yamashita’s recent form includes four top‑five finishes in her last six worldwide starts, a shared fourth place at the Evian Championship, and a shared fifth at the Scottish Open. Her consistency makes her a genuine threat to contend for the AIG Women’s Open crown. British history at Lytham is rich. It has been three decades since Dame Laura Davies secured her fourth major at this course, and several home‑grown players have followed in her footsteps.

Alison Nicholas won the U.S. Women’s Open in 1997, and Karen Stupples captured the AIG Women’s Open in 2004. More recently, Catriona Matthew became Scotland’s first female major champion at Lytham in 2009, just eleven weeks after giving birth to her second daughter.

Georgia Hall added a two‑stroke victory in 2018, reinforcing the venue’s reputation as a stage for British triumphs. Charley Hull, a five‑time major runner‑up, will be aiming to break her streak of near‑misses. She has finished second at this tournament twice in the past three years and is eager to claim her first major. Fellow Englishwoman Lottie Woad, who has posted top‑10 finishes in her previous two AIG Women’s Open appearances, will also be looking to improve her record.

The event is expected to draw more than 50,000 spectators throughout the week, many of whom hope to witness another home‑grown champion. At the same time, the tournament serves as a final opportunity for players to boost their Solheim Cup qualifications. Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist, who will serve as a non‑playing captain this year, is finalising her roster. Automatic qualifiers are being confirmed, and she will have four captain’s picks to decide after the tournament.

Among the contenders for those captain’s picks are LET rising star Chiara Tamburlini, who sits second on the points list, and rookie Helen Briem, Agathe Laisne and Cara Gainer. World‑ranking spots are currently occupied by Lottie Woad, Maja Stark, Céline Boutier, Carlota Ciganda, Linn Grant and Esther Henseleit.

Leona Maguire, fresh off a strong showing in Scotland, hopes to earn a place on the European team, while other top‑100 players such as Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Dewi Weber and Mimi Rhodes could also make a case for inclusion. Sky Sports will provide exclusive coverage of the AIG Women’s Open across the UK and Ireland. For the first time, the network will offer "Featured Groups" coverage, beginning at 9 a.m.

on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, with full coverage kicking off at 1 p.m. The final two rounds will be broadcast live from midday on the weekend, delivering six additional hours of live action compared with previous years. With the stakes high, the narrative rich, and the field stacked with talent, the question remains: Who will lift the Claret Jug at Royal Lytham & St Annes? Fans can follow every moment live on Sky Sports Golf or stream the coverage without a contract.

The answer will shape the legacy of the 2026 season and could define the next chapter in women’s golf history.