Nelly Korda has voiced that a triumph by England’s Charley Hull at the AIG Women’s Open, especially on home soil, would be "great for golf," while she herself is focused on adding another major to her already impressive résumé at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Korda enters the tournament as the clear favorite, eyeing a record‑tying third major of the season after having already secured victories at the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open in a campaign that has drawn widespread admiration. Korda’s win at the U.S.
Women’s Open was a narrow one‑shot victory over Gaby Lopez, and it also placed her ahead of Hull, who has now amassed five runner‑up finishes in major championships. Two of those second‑place finishes have come at the AIG Women’s Open in the past three years, underscoring Hull’s consistent presence at the top of the leaderboard without yet capturing the coveted title. Ahead of the final major of the year, Hull admitted that the string of near‑misses is painful.
She noted that the last English woman to win a major was Georgia Hall in 2018, and the weight of those close calls can be heavy. Nevertheless, Korda praised Hull’s ability to stay in contention so often. "Sometimes it’s just about putting yourself in that position to contend," Korda said during her pre‑tournament press conference.
"You can’t control what other players do, but Hull is doing something right to be there, to stay relevant, and to be in the hunt." Korda drew a parallel with Sam Burns on the men’s side, who has repeatedly been in contention at majors without yet sealing a victory. "He’ll get there eventually. You can’t get discouraged – it has to be encouraging," she added, emphasizing that repeated close calls should be viewed as motivation rather than frustration. The American also highlighted Hull’s personality as a boost for the sport.
"She’s such a great personality. It would be wonderful for her to win a major on home turf.
She’s an amazing player with a fun‑loving character – I always enjoy playing with her," Korda said. "I think it would be great for the game of golf." Hull, in turn, described Korda’s season – which includes four worldwide victories – as "unbelievable" for the sport. She acknowledged that being world No. 1 brings extra pressure, especially during periods of dominance.
Hull explained that she is at a stage in her career where she wants to be authentic and true to herself. "If people don’t like it, that’s fine. If it inspires the next generation, that’s great – that’s what I want," she said.
"No one can dictate the direction I take; I’ll follow the path that feels right for me. When I’m authentic, I don’t drain my battery trying to be someone else." Hull added that she has learned to say yes only to the opportunities that align with her values, noting that if her choices help grow the game and attract viewers, she welcomes that outcome. "I’ve figured out when I enjoy something and when I’m just saying yes because I feel I have to.
If it grows the game and makes people watch me, that’s fantastic. But I’ve had to learn that," she explained.
Korda’s recent form had been remarkable, with ten consecutive top‑eight finishes worldwide, until a surprising missed cut at the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this month broke a 34‑event streak of making the cut that stretched back nearly two years. Korda shrugged off the Evian result, calling the course "funky" and insisting she didn’t play badly.
"Golf isn’t about being invincible. Even when you’re playing well, you won’t make every cut or finish in the top ten every week," she said. "There will be weeks when you just don’t have it, and that’s the reality. I’ve missed enough cuts to know that the bounce‑back is what matters." Last year’s AIG Women’s Open saw Korda finish runner‑up to Lydia Ko, and a victory this week would not only cement her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame but also complete the career Grand Slam.
Reflecting on her narrow miss in 2024, Korda admitted that being in contention at a major can be emotional. "When you’re close to a title, you feel it deeply," she said. "That’s why we get up early, work on our game mentally and physically, and keep grinding." She also recalled her experience at St Andrews, where she fell short, noting that the challenging weather and links conditions made the loss sting. "Playing in that weather and still being in contention on a links course was motivating because it showed I could compete," Korda explained.
"It gave me confidence that I belong on that stage." The broadcast rights for the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland remain with Sky Sports, which is offering an expanded package that includes Featured Groups coverage for the first time and six additional hours of live action. The Featured Groups segment starts 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.
Fans can follow the tournament throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf, or stream the action with a flexible, contract‑free subscription. In summary, while Korda is chasing her own historic milestone, she remains genuinely supportive of Hull’s quest for a home‑country major victory.
Both players embody the growing depth and excitement of women’s golf, and their mutual respect highlights a sport that is increasingly competitive, entertaining, and globally resonant. Whether Hull finally breaks through or Korda adds another trophy to her cabinet, the AIG Women’s Open promises to deliver drama, skill, and moments that could inspire the next generation of golfers worldwide.