Full Breakdown
Charley Hull Targets First Major at the AIG Women’s Open
7/28/2026, 11:05:14 PM
Core Event: Opening Groupings and Schedule
The first two rounds at Royal Lytham & St Annes open with three featured groups. England’s Charley Hull tees off alongside Canada’s Brooke Henderson and Australia’s Hannah Green at 13:26 BST. Lottie Woad plays with the United States’ Andrea Lee and Japan’s Akie Iwai at 08:31 BST. World No. 1 Nelly Korda and Korea’s Haeran Ryu share a group with New Zealand’s Lydia Ko at 08:42 BST. The 144-woman field begins with a one-tee start, and the tournament will also serve as the final qualifying event for European players aiming for the Solheim Cup.
Background & Context
Hull, 30, has finished runner-up in five major championships, including two recent AIG Women’s Open finals (2023 and 2025). She seeks to become the first Englishwoman to win a major since Georgia Hall’s 2018 triumph at the same venue.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda entered the Open having already captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open this season. A win at Lytham would give her a chance at a career Grand Slam, requiring either the Evian Championship or the Women’s Open to complete the four-of-five major set.
Korea’s Haeran Ryu also arrived with two majors this year—the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship—positioning her as the first player since Inbee Park (2013) to chase three majors in a calendar year.
Data & Statistics
- Charley Hull: five runner-up finishes in majors; two AIG Women’s Open runner-up finishes (2023, 2025).
- Nelly Korda: three major titles overall; two won in the current season (Chevron, U.S. Open).
- Haeran Ryu: three major titles overall; two won in the current season (Women’s PGA, Evian).
- Lydia Ko: 2024 Women’s Open champion; paired with Korda and Ryu in the opening group.
- Lottie Woad: highest-ranked Englishwoman in the field, world No. 5.
Official Statements & Responses
Tournament organisers announced that the AIG Women’s Open will feature “Featured Group” coverage on Sky Sports Golf, with live broadcasts beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Friday and expanded coverage for the weekend rounds. The event also confirms that the Solheim Cup points race will be decided by the final leaderboard, adding extra significance for European competitors.
Verbatim Quotes
“I don't really see it as a rivalry at the minute, because no offence, Nelly [Korda] has got however many majors and I've got none,” — England's Charley Hull
“It was me, but the pin shouldn't have been there,” — England's Charley Hull
What’s Next
Live “Featured Group” coverage will continue through the first two days, after which full round coverage resumes at 1 p.m. each day. The final rounds are slated for midday weekend broadcasts, culminating in the crowning of the champion and the determination of Solheim Cup qualification.
