Charley Hull has been quick to diminish any sense of a personal rivalry with world number one Nelly Korda as she prepares for the AIG Women’s Open, while also opening up about the emotional toll that repeatedly finishing as a runner‑up in major championships has taken on her. Hull, currently ranked seventh in the world, is one of the leading English contenders at Royal Lytham & St Annes, hoping to become the first Englishwoman to capture a major title since Georgia Hall’s breakthrough victory at the same venue in 2018.
Hull’s résumé in majors is impressive yet frustrating: she has finished second in three of the last five major tournaments, including a runner‑up finish to Korda at the U.S. Women’s Open in June. Those near‑misses have left her with a record of five second‑place finishes in majors, a statistic she admits “hurts” whenever she reflects on her career.
During a pre‑tournament press conference, Hull made it clear that she does not view Korda as a rival at this moment. “No offense, Nelly has already collected several majors and I have none,” Hull said, smiling. “I’ve got five second places. Let me win my first major first, and then we can talk about rivalry later.” She praised Korda’s impact on the sport, describing her play as “unbelievable” and adding that Korda is “a nice girl, as well.” Hull’s focus, she emphasized, is simply to cross the finish line first and finally break her own streak of near‑wins.
The pressure of those runner‑up finishes was evident when Hull recalled walking past the trophy display on the first day of the previous year’s tournament. “I looked at the posters and thought, ‘Oh, I wish that was me,’” she said, underscoring how close she feels to achieving that long‑awaited victory.
Hull’s recent form has been mixed. Her second‑place finish at the U.S. Women’s Open remains her only top‑15 result in her last seven starts. The 30‑year‑old then posted a tied‑44th finish at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open after a disastrous opening round that included a quadruple‑bogey nine.
Hull explained the mishap, noting that a misplaced pin forced her to attempt a birdie putt from an unfavorable position. “It was me, but the pin shouldn’t have been there,” she said, adding that she immediately texted the commissioner after the round. She acknowledged that even top players make mistakes: “Even the world No. 1 can make a nine.” Despite the setback, Hull managed to salvage a ten‑foot putt later in the round, a small victory she celebrated with a fist‑bump.
The tournament also features Lottie Woad, the highest‑ranked Englishwoman in the field, who has set her sights on winning what she describes as a “dream” major. Woad, currently world number five, has already posted top‑10 finishes in her two previous AIG Women’s Open appearances and is eager to add another strong performance to her résumé before the Solheim Cup debut for Team Europe in September. “For any British player, this would be the dream to win,” she said, noting her love for links golf and the challenge presented by wind and unpredictable bounces. Woad highlighted the growing depth of British and English talent on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour.
She mentioned several friends who are on the cusp of turning professional or are completing their amateur careers, indicating that British golf is in a strong position for the future. The broadcast rights for the AIG Women’s Open remain with Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, which this year offers an expanded “Featured Groups” coverage slot.
The new format begins 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 shown live from midday over the weekend, providing fans with six additional hours of live golf compared with previous years.
As the tournament unfolds, the question on everyone’s mind is who will finally break through and claim the coveted Claret Jug. Hull hopes to be that player, aiming to turn her five runner‑up finishes into a historic victory for England. Korda, meanwhile, is chasing a fifth major title of the season and continues to demonstrate why she is considered one of the sport’s brightest stars. The stage is set for an exciting showdown on the storied links of Royal Lytham & St Annes, with both athletes eager to write the next chapter in women’s golf history.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Golf or stream the coverage without a contract, ensuring that the drama of the AIG Women’s Open reaches a global audience. Whether you are rooting for Hull’s long‑awaited breakthrough, Korda’s continued dominance, or Woad’s dream of a home‑grown triumph, the tournament promises high‑stakes competition, compelling storylines, and the timeless allure of links golf.