Full Breakdown
The 50th AIG Women’s Open Returns to Royal Lytham & St Annes
7/29/2026, 10:59:04 PM
Background & Context
Royal Lytham & St Annes hosts the AIG Women’s Open for the sixth time, marking the tournament’s 50th edition. The links course previously produced British champions Catriona Matthew (2009) and Georgia Hall (2018). The 2026 event is the final women’s major of the season and the last major before the men’s Open returns to Lytham in 2028.
Key Figures & Groups
- Charley Hull – England, world No. 7, five-time major runner-up, seeking her first major.
- Lottie Woad – England, world No. 5, recent LPGA wins, aiming to be the first Englishwoman to win a major since Hall.
- Nelly Korda – United States, world No. 1, holder of two 2026 majors, in contention for a career Grand Slam.
- Haeran Ryu – South Korea, two 2026 majors, paired with Korda in the opening groups.
- Lydia Ko – New Zealand, 2024 Women’s Open champion, also in the marquee group.
- Miyu Yamashita – Japan, defending champion from 2025.
Timeline
- July 30 – First-round tee-offs begin at 6:30 a.m.; featured groups start at 8:42 a.m. (Korda, Ryu, Ko).
- August 2 – Final round concludes; winner crowned.
Data & Statistics
- Field: 144 players, with 24 of the top 25 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
- Cut: Top 65 + ties after 36 holes.
- Purse: $10 million total; $1.5 million to the champion.
- Major titles in 2026 (pre-tournament): Korda – Chevron Championship, U.S. Women’s Open; Ryu – KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Amundi Evian Championship.
Why It Matters
Hull’s quest is the most recent British hope for a home-soil major victory, echoing Hall’s 2018 triumph. A win would also give world No. 1 Korda the chance to complete a career Grand Slam, a rare achievement in women’s golf. The opening-round pairing of Korda and Ryu pits the season’s dominant players against each other on a demanding links layout.
Official Statements & Responses
- Hull said the “pressure” from fans can be “human” but she remains focused.
- Korda emphasized she cannot control other players, while respecting Hull’s ability to stay in contention.
- Organizers highlighted the historic significance of the 50th edition and the expanded Sky Sports coverage, adding six live hours compared with 2025.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It'd just be great to think that one day when I do, if I do win the major, I will be able to sleep at night," Hull said.” — Charley Hull
- “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,” — Charley Hull
What’s Next
The championship will conclude on August 2, with a $1.5 million prize for the winner and, for Korda, the final piece of a career Grand Slam. The results will also influence Solheim Cup team selections later in the season.
