England's Charley Hull launches her latest bid to win her first major at this week’s Women’s Open at Royal Lytham.
One of the most recognisable faces in golf, she has twice finished runner-up. Her first came at Walton Heath in 2023 when she thrilled the home crowds by moving into a share of the lead with 18 holes to play. An incredible eagle in the final round was arguably the moment of the Championship, but Hull had to settle for second place as Lilia Vu produced a phenomenal performance to storm to victory by six strokes.
Hull produced another weekend charge at Royal Porthcawl 12 months ago, finishing tied with Minami Katsu on nine-under-par, just two strokes behind Miyu Yamashita. It was Hull's fourth runner-up finish in a major.
She has won five times on the Ladies European Tour - the most recent victory coming in the PIF Saudi Ladies International in February 2026 - and three times on the LPGA Tour, most recently in the Kroger Queen City Championship in September 2025.
Her victory in the PIF Saudi Ladies International catapulted her into third place in the Rolex Women's World Rankings for the first time - the highest-ever position for a British player.
But all eyes will be on Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu, who have each won two majors this season.
Korda was in a class of her own at Memorial Park in April, cantering to a five-stroke victory - the largest winning margin in the Chevron for 18 years. So dominant was Korda from day one that no player got to within three shots of her the entire weekend. She opened with a pair of 65s and closed with a pair of 70s for an 18-under-par score of 270. The 27-year-old subsequently joined Juli Inkster (1989) and Amy Alcott (1991) as the only players in the last 50 years to win an LPGA major when leading by multiple shots after each round.
While Korda won the Chevron with relative ease, things were a lot tougher in the US Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club. Seven strokes behind after round one, she responded with back-to-back 67s hauling her into contention. She took the lead with a birdie on the 71st hole, before clinching the title with a nervy three-foot par putt at the last for an eight-under 276.
Korda became the first American since Pat Bradley in 1986 to win the opening two majors of the season and just the second US Women’s Open champion to be in 50th position or lower (she was T56) after 18 holes. Hull and Gaby Lopez were joint runners-up on seven-under-par.
It was major number four for Korda, leaving her just one away from the Grand Slam and two away from achieving a clean sweep of majors; the Super Slam.
Ryu picked up her first major title with victory in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June. The Korean overturned a 10-stroke deficit from first-round leader Ina Yoon to eventually edge her compatriot by two; the best comeback in Women’s PGA Championship history. Haeran also became just the seventh player since 1990 to win in each of her first four seasons on the LPGA Tour.
Not only did Haeran double her major tally at the first time of asking, the 25-year-old made history in the process. Haeran collected her second major in as many weeks after defeating Brooke Henderson in a playoff. And her third round will be remembered for a very long time as she became the first golfer, male or female, to card a 60 in a major championship. Nine birdies and an eagle gave her the historic 11-under-par tally, with her front-nine score of 29 equalling the best nine-hole score at Evian Resort Golf Club.
Look out for Lottie Woad, who has enjoyed a dream start to her professional career. All that is missing from her CV is a major and it would a huge surprise if she is not in the hunt this week.
Twelve months ago Yamashita held off Hull to land her first major. The 24-year-old from Osaka celebrated her birthday on the day of the third round and earned the best possible belated gift courtesy of a final-round 70, finishing two shots clear at the summit.
Miyu had been in front since the Friday morning kept all challengers at arm’s length with three birdies and a succession of nerveless putts to save pars - and close out a famous victory.
After a promising 2024 in which she found her feet in the big events, she began to produce more encouraging signs at the beginning of 2025.
A consistent feature in the top 10 on the LPGA Tour, Miyu was firmly in the mix at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Having finished as a runner-up to Amy Yang in 2024, Miyu claimed a share of sixth place at PGA Frisco, ending six shots behind winner Minjee Lee.
That admirable effort followed T30 and T36 finishes at the Chevron Championship and US Women’s Open respectively.
Miyu had a strong track record from her three previous appearances at the AIG Women’s Open, finishing 13th on debut at Muirfield in 2022, before a T21 placing at Walton Heath in 2023, before her day in the sun arrived at Royal Porthcawl. A 13-time winner on the Japan LPGA Tour, her victory in Wales was her first on the LPGA Tour and she followed it up with success in the Maybank Championship in Malaysia in November, becoming just the second repeat winner (along with Jeeno Thitikul) on the circuit in 2025.
Tournament Winners
It was won in 2015 by Inbee Park, in 2016 by Ariya Jutanugarn, in 2017 by In-Kyung Kim, in 2018 by Georgia Hall, in 2019 by Hinako Shibuno, in 2020 by Sophia Popov, in 2021 by Anna Nordqvist, in 2022 by Ashleigh Buhai, in 2023 by Lilia Vu, in 2024 by Lydia Ko and last year by Miyu Yamashita.
The Course
Royal Lytham is a classic links course that features 174 pot bunkers which can wreck a score. It is a par 70 that measures 7,094 yards.
Prize Money
The total prize fund is $9.5m with the champion collecting $1.425m.
How To Watch
Thursday, July 30, Sky Sports Golf, 9am; Friday, July 31, Sky Sports Golf, 9am; Saturday, August 1, Sky Sports Golf, midday; Sunday, August 2, Sky Sports Golf, midday.
Picks & Tips
Most people will expect to see Nelly Korda dominate proceedings and she is sure to be in contention but I expect to see a strong European challenge led by Lottie Woad and Charley Hull.
To Win:
Charley Hull. First major is overdue
Each Way:
Nelly Korda. Hard to ignore
Each Way:
Haeran Ryu. Having a dream year
Five to Follow:
Charley Hull. Will attack from the start
Nelly Korda. Fabulous talent
Haeran Ryu. We know she can go really low
Lottie Woad. Has every shot in the book
Lydia Ko. A serial winner
Five Outsiders to Watch
Georgia Hall. Looking to recapture best form
Lauren Coughlin. Good outside chance
Lindy Duncan. Consistent performer
Leonie Harm. Excellent German golfer
Esther Henseleit. Decent record in majors
