Hull chases maiden major at Women's Open as Korda targets third 2026 title

The AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes is under way with Charley Hull and Lottie Woad both making strong starts in pursuit of maiden major victories. Hull, a 30-year-old English golfer, arrives as a popular contender with five prior runner-up finishes in majors, including two at the AIG Women's Open in the last three years. Her most recent near-miss came at the US Women's Open last month, where she finished one shot behind winner Nelly Korda. Hull acknowledged that these close calls "hurt," but remains focused on breaking through on home soil—a narrative underscored by world No. 1 Korda's endorsement of a potential Hull victory as "great for golf."

Nelly Korda arrives as the pre-tournament favourite and the likeliest winner according to analysts. The American has claimed two major titles in 2026 already—the Chevron Championship and the US Women's Open—putting her within reach of an historic third major in a single season. A victory this week would see Korda complete the career Grand Slam and secure her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame. Despite her dominance, Korda has described the mental and physical demands of sustained success, noting that she had missed the cut at the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this month, snapping a 34-event cut streak. She emphasised the importance of remaining authentic and managing the pressures of fame, drawing on family support from her professional tennis-playing parents and LPGA Tour sister.

The tournament also serves as a trial run for the men's Open, which is scheduled to return to Royal Lytham in 2028 after an extended absence. The venue was last home to the Women's Open in 2018, when England's Georgia Hall won her maiden major title—a precedent that has fuelled local interest in a potential Hull breakthrough. Lydia Ko, who won the Women's Open in 2024, is also competing and has drawn recent inspiration from fellow New Zealander Ryan Fox's victory at Royal Birkdale in the men's Open, an achievement that moved Ko to tears as she watched from the US.

Korda has noted that the conditions at Royal Lytham are particularly challenging, with the links course expected to be scorched and demanding. She estimates using her driver only five times per round, instead incorporating a four-iron into her strategy. Hull and Woad both performed well in the opening round, with both players featuring among the highlight shots from day one.