World number one Nelly Korda has been placed in a high‑profile group for the opening rounds of the AIG Women’s Open at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes. She will share the tee with back‑to‑back major champion Haéran Ryu, creating a marquee three‑ball that promises plenty of drama for spectators and broadcasters alike.

Korda entered the tournament after a stellar season that saw her capture the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ryu added the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship to her résumé. Their combined achievements mark the first time in the history of women’s golf that two players have each won multiple majors in a single season, underscoring the depth of talent on display at Lytham.

Both athletes are now eyeing a place in the record books. If either can secure a third major title this calendar year, they would become the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to claim three majors in a single season. Ryu, who is chasing a third consecutive major, tees off at 8:42 a.m.

alongside Korda and 2024 champion Lydia Ko, making this early start a focal point for the day’s coverage. English hopeful Lottie Woad also has a chance to make history.

She will be part of an early‑morning group that includes world No. 5 Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee.

Woad is aiming to become the first Englishwoman to win a major since Georgia Hall captured the title in 2018, a victory that also came at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Her presence adds a further layer of national interest to the opening action. The two star‑studded three‑balls will be featured in the new "Featured Group" coverage on Thursday, with live broadcasts beginning at 9 a.m. on Sky Sports Golf.

Meanwhile, defending champion Miyu Yamashita finds herself on the opposite side of the draw. Yamashita is attempting to become the first back‑to‑back women’s major winner since Yani Tseng, and she will start at 1:15 p.m.

with world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul and Lauren Coughlin. Charley Hull, who has finished runner‑up three times in the last four editions of the Open, is also placed in the later‑early half of the field.

Hull will partner with Australian Hannah Green and Canadian Brooke Henderson, giving her a strong group to try and finally break through and claim the trophy. The tournament uses a one‑tee start for all 144 competitors, with the first tee shot scheduled for 6:30 a.m. on Thursday.

This format ensures a smooth flow of play and allows fans to watch the entire field from the early morning onward. The event also serves as the final qualifying opportunity for European players hoping to earn a spot on the Solheim Cup team. Team Europe’s Solheim Cup lineup will be determined by the top two players in the European Solheim Cup points list, plus the next six highest‑ranked Europeans in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings who are not already qualified. Captain Anna Nordqvist will then make four captain’s picks live on Sky Sports News on Monday, completing the squad.

The announced groups are as follows: - 07:03 – Anna Nordqvist (SWE), Cassie Porter (AUS), Sayaka Takahashi (JPN) - 08:09 – Sei Young Kim (KOR), Rio Takeda (JPN), Yuna Araki (JPN) - 08:20 – Hyojoo Kim (KOR), Minjee Lee (AUS), Mao Saigo (JPN) - 08:31 – Lottie Woad (ENG), Aki Iwai (JPN), Andrea Lee (USA) - 08:42 – Lydia Ko (NZL), Nelly Korda (USA), Haéran Ryu (KOR) - 13:15 – Miyu Yamashita (JPN), Jeeno Thitikul (THA), Lauren Coughlin (USA) - 13:26 – Charley Hull (ENG), Hannah Green (AUS), Brooke Henderson (CAN) - 13:42 – Maja Stark (SWE), Jinhee Im (KOR), Allisen Corpuz (PHI) Sky Sports retains exclusive broadcasting rights for the AIG Women’s Open in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The introduction of Featured Groups coverage adds six additional hours of live golf to the schedule, giving fans unprecedented access to the tournament’s most compelling storylines. Full coverage will commence at 1 p.m., with rounds three and four being shown live from midday over the weekend.

Viewers can watch the action throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf, or stream the tournament via the Sky Sports app without a long‑term contract. Golf enthusiasts are also encouraged to explore the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, with special pricing available for bookings made through the Sky Sports platform. In summary, the AIG Women’s Open promises a week of high‑stakes competition, historic possibilities, and a showcase of the sport’s brightest talents.

Whether it’s Korda and Ryu battling for a third major, Yamashita’s quest for consecutive titles, or Hull’s pursuit of her first win at Lytham, the tournament offers a compelling narrative for fans worldwide.