The 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open kicks off at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, and the tournament’s opening round features a full slate of pairings and tee times that set the stage for an exciting week of elite women’s golf. Below is a comprehensive guide to the first‑round groupings, key storylines, and broadcast information for fans who want to follow every swing. ### Defending Champion’s Quest Miyu Yamashita returns to Royal Lytham as the reigning champion, aiming to become the first player to retain the title since Yani Tseng achieved back‑to‑back victories.
Yamashita tees off in the late‑early wave on Thursday, sharing her group with world No. 2 Jeongeun "Jeeno" Lee (commonly known as Jeeno Thitikul) and England’s rising star Lauren Coughlin. The trio presents a compelling mix of experience and youthful ambition, and their early start gives them a chance to set a strong leaderboard tone before the wind picks up later in the day. ### Major Winners Paired Together For the first two days, the tournament organizers have deliberately paired the two players who have already captured multiple majors this season.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda joins South Korean talent Haeran Ryu and former world No.
1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand in an early‑morning group on Thursday. This high‑profile grouping promises to showcase a blend of power, precision, and strategic shot‑making, giving viewers a preview of the competition’s elite level.
### Emerging Contenders Lottie Woad, a promising English golfer seeking her first major title, tees off alongside Japan’s Aki Iwai and the experienced Andrea Lee. On the opposite side of the draw, Charley Hull teams up with Australian champion Hannah Green and Canadian star Brooke Henderson.
These pairings highlight the depth of talent across the field, with several players eager to make a breakthrough on the storied links. ### Field Overview A total of 144 competitors have earned spots in the final women’s major of the year, ranging from seasoned major champions to ambitious amateurs (denoted with an "x"). The tournament’s schedule follows British Summer Time (BST), with U.S. times noted where applicable.
Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback on the official streaming platform. ### Detailed Tee Times (BST) **06:30** – Alice Hewson (ENG), Amanda Doherty (ENG), Chloe Williams (WAL) **06:41** – Amelia Garvey (NZL), Leonie Harm (GER), Smilla Tarning Sonderby (DEN) **06:52** – Wei Ling Hsu (TPE), Aditi Ashok (IND), Darcey Harry (WAL) **07:03** – Anna Nordqvist (SWE), Cassie Porter (AUS), Sayaka Takahashi (JPN) **07:14** – Minami Katsu (JPN), Yealimi Noh (USA), Steph Kyriacou (AUS) **07:25** – Carlota Ciganda (ESP), Karis Davidson (AUS), Maria Marin (COL) (amateur) **07:36** – Ina Yoon (KOR), Alison Lee (USA), Yunseo Yang (KOR) (amateur) **07:47** – Jiyai Shin (KOR), Auston Kim (USA), In Gee Chun (KOR) **07:58** – Linn Grant (SWE), Jin Young Ko (KOR), Kiara Romero (USA) (amateur) **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), Haeran Ryu (KOR) **08:58** – Hye‑Jin Choi (KOR), Grace Kim (AUS), Mimi Rhodes (ENG) **09:09** – Somi Lee (KOR), Esther Henseleit (GER), Ayaka Furue (JPN) **09:20** – Lindy Duncan (ENG), Amy Yang (KOR), Julia Lopez Ramirez (ESP) **09:31** – Sophia Popov (GER), Jenny Shin (KOR), Perrine Delacour (FRA) **09:42** – Yan Liu (CHN), Shannon Tan (SIN), Yuka Saso (JPN) **09:53** – Yani Tseng (TPE), Nastasia Nadaud (FRA), Alexandra Forsterling (GER) **10:04** – Arpichaya Yubol (THA), Cara Gainer (ENG), Minji Kang (KOR) **10:15** – In Kyung Kim (KOR), Manon De Roey (BEL), Carolina Chacarra (ESP) **10:26** – Jodi Ewart Shadoff (ENG), Anna Zanusso (ITA), Justice Bosio (AUS) **10:37** – Sara Kouskova (CZE), Soobin Joo (KOR), Annabell Fuller (ENG) **10:48** – Pia Babnik (SLO), Anna Foster (IRL), Bel Wardle (ENG) **11:14** – Jing Yan (CHN), Agathe Laisne (FRA), Lauren Walsh (IRL) **11:25** – Kelsey Bennett (AUS), Weiwei Zhang (CHN), Kajsa Arwefjall (SWE) **11:36** – Erika Hara (JPN), Chiara Tamburlini (SUI), Melanie Green (ENG) **11:47** – Nanna Koerstz Madsen (DEN), Kana Nagai (JPN), Esme Hamilton (ENG) **11:58** – Shiho Kuwaki (JPN), Helen Briem (GER), Lucy Li (USA) **12:09** – Anna Huang (CAN), Jenny Bae (KOR), Paula Martin Sampedro (ESP) (amateur) **12:20** – Lilia Vu (USA), Shuri Sakuma (JPN), Rose Zhang (USA) **12:31** – Ariya Jutanugarn (THA), A Lim Kim (KOR), Casandra Alexander (RSA) **12:42** – Hinako Shibuno (JPN), Georgia Hall (ENG), Valentine Delon (FRA) (amateur) **12:53** – Gaby Lopez (MEX), Chizzy Iwai (JPN), Celine Boutier (FRA) **13:04** – Ruoning Yin (CHN), Nasa Hataoka (JPN), Jennifer Kupcho (USA) **13:15** – Miyu Yamashita (JPN), Jeeno Thitikul (THA), Lauren Coughlin (ENG) **13:26** – Charley Hull (ENG), Hannah Green (AUS), Brooke Henderson (CAN) **13:42** – Maja Stark (SWE), Jinhee Im (KOR), Allisen Corpuz (PHI) **13:53** – Minsol Kim (KOR), Patty Tavatanakit (THA), Megan Khang (USA) **14:04** – Pajaree Anannarukarn (THA), Youmin Hwang (KOR), Leona Maguire (IRL) **14:15** – Ashleigh Buhai (RSA), Fuka Suga (JPN), Dewi Weber (NED) **14:26** – Kim Minsun (KOR), Mi Hyang Lee (KOR), Nicole Broch Estrup (DEN) **14:37** – Chanettee Wannasaen (THA), Pauline Roussin‑Bouchard (FRA), Yu Liu (CHN) **14:48** – Ryann O'Toole (USA), Robyn Choi (AUS), Charlotte Naughton (ENG) (amateur) **14:59** – Nataliya Guseva (RUS), Noora Komulainen (FIN), Lauren Crump (ENG) (amateur) **15:10** – Carla Tejedo Mulet (ESP), Diksha Dagar (IND), Yana Wilson (USA) **15:21** – Daniela Darquea (ECU), Polly Mack (GER), Gina Kim (USA) **15:32** – Aunchisa Utama (THA), Ana Peláez Triviño (ESP), Vanessa Bouvet (FRA) ### Broadcast and Streaming Details Sky Sports holds exclusive rights to the AIG Women’s Open across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
For the first time, the network offers a "Featured Groups" segment, delivering extended live coverage of selected pairings, including a three‑ball showdown featuring world No. 1 Nelly Korda. Featured Groups begin at 9:00 a.m.
on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, with full tournament coverage launching at 1:00 p.m. The weekend rounds (three and four) will be broadcast live from midday onward. Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for the most reliable video player experience. Those without a Sky Sports subscription can still stream the event via the Sky Sports app or other authorized streaming platforms that provide a contract‑free trial.
### Additional Context and History The AIG Women’s Open, first contested in 1895, is the oldest major in women’s golf and has grown into a global showcase of talent. Royal Lytham & St Annes, a frequent host of major championships, is renowned for its deep bunkering, narrow fairways, and unpredictable coastal winds. Players must balance aggressive ball‑striking with strategic course management, especially on the iconic 17th hole, a par‑3 that has decided many a championship. The 2026 edition marks the tournament’s 50th anniversary, and organizers have emphasized fan engagement through interactive digital features, live leaderboards, and behind‑the‑scenes content.
The field includes a mix of seasoned major winners—such as Nelly Korda, Jin Young Ko, and Brooke Henderson—and rising stars like Lottie Woad and Miyu Yamashita, who are eager to leave their mark on the historic links. ### How to Follow the Action Fans can track live scores on the official AIG Women’s Open website, the European Tour app, or via the Sky Sports Golf channel. Social media updates, player interviews, and highlight reels will be shared throughout the week on platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. For those interested in playing the courses themselves, Sky Sports offers a partnership with over 1,700 golf courses across the UK and Ireland, providing discounted green fees and booking options.
Whether you are a dedicated follower of women’s golf or a casual viewer curious about the sport’s premier event, the first‑round groupings at Royal Lytham set the tone for a week of high‑stakes competition, dramatic narratives, and the pursuit of a historic back‑to‑back victory. Stay tuned, enjoy the coverage, and watch as the world’s best women golfers battle for the coveted AIG Women’s Open title.