Lydia Ko has openly expressed her desire to "tap into her inner Foxy" as she sets her sights on adding another major championship to her résumé at the AIG Women's Open. The New Zealand star was moved to tears after witnessing compatriot Ryan Fox clinch a dramatic victory at The Open, a moment that has fueled her determination to follow in his footsteps and bring further glory to New Zealand golf.
Fox's win at Royal Birkdale was nothing short of spectacular. He secured a one‑shot triumph on the final hole, posting a third‑round 62 that matched the best score ever recorded in a men’s major at that stage of a tournament.
The 39‑year‑old’s birdie on the 18th not only gave him the title but also made him only the third New Zealand player to ever lift a men’s major trophy. The achievement was especially poignant because it marked the first New Zealand victory at The Open since Bob Charles captured the Claret Jug in 1963 at Royal Lytham & St Annes—the very venue where Ko will now compete for her fourth major and a second AIG Women’s Open crown. During her pre‑tournament press conference, Ko said, "I would love to keep the dice rolling. I'm super‑excited for Foxy [Ryan Fox] and for all of New Zealand golf after his win at Royal Birkdale.
I’ve never felt this nervous and thrilled watching someone else play. His back‑nine performance over the weekend was simply incredible. It would be amazing to channel my inner Foxy and bring that same fearlessness to my own game in the days ahead." Her comments captured both the emotional impact of Fox’s triumph and her own ambition to emulate his fearless approach.
Fox’s path to victory was a story of resilience. After being eight strokes behind at the halfway point, he produced a flawless third round, carding a 62 that placed him just two shots off the lead.
He then birdied two of his final three holes on Sunday, sealing the championship in dramatic fashion. Ko, who was watching the final moments from the west coast of the United States, recounted how the excitement interrupted her routine: "I tried to work out, but every screen kept showing The Open.
My phone finally gave me the feed. I was so focused on Ryan that I completely forgot my own workout. When I got home I saw his 18‑hole drive, and I just burst out of the door screaming.
My husband ran out asking what was happening, and ten seconds later I was crying. It was an emotional roller‑coaster, and I can only imagine how he felt too." Ko’s recent major record has been a mix of highs and lows.
She missed the cut in the first two women’s majors of the season, but rebounded with a tied‑15th finish at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship after a slow start, followed by a shared seventh place at the Amundi Evian Championship. Now, at 29, she will tee off alongside fellow major winners Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu—both of whom have already added multiple majors to their collections in 2026—during the opening rounds of the AIG Women’s Open.
Ko is fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead; the course at Royal Lytham & St Annes has been re‑configured with subtle changes that make it feel almost unfamiliar, even to a player who has previously triumphed there. "I think winning would be incredibly special," Ko explained. "This feels like the toughest Women’s Open I’ve ever played. When I was here in 2018, I remember navigating a lot of bunkers that are still vivid in my memory.
This year the course feels brand new. They’ve tweaked a few holes, but overall it remains a demanding layout. Even on a perfect day the conditions are tough, so a victory on a venue like this would bring an extra level of pride." She added that Fox’s recent Open win adds an extra layer of significance to her own aspirations: "With Foxy having won The Open, a victory for me would not only be meaningful personally, but it would also be empowering for golf back home in New Zealand. It would show that we can produce champions across both the men’s and women’s games." Broadcast details for the tournament note that Sky Sports retains exclusive rights to the AIG Women’s Open in the UK and Ireland.
For the first time, the network will offer Featured Groups coverage, delivering an additional six hours of live golf compared with previous years. The Featured Groups segment will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, with full coverage kicking off at 1 p.m. The third and fourth rounds will be broadcast live from midday over the weekend, giving fans ample opportunity to follow the action.
As the tournament unfolds, the question on everyone’s mind is who will lift the trophy. Ko’s determination to channel the boldness she admires in Ryan Fox, combined with her own proven ability to rebound from setbacks, makes her a compelling contender. Whether she captures a second AIG Women’s Open title or simply adds another strong performance to her record, her pursuit embodies the spirit of resilience and national pride that has become a hallmark of New Zealand golf. Viewers can watch the competition live on Sky Sports Golf or stream via the network’s contract‑free service, ensuring that fans worldwide can share in the excitement of what promises to be a memorable championship.