Royal Lytham & St Annes to host AIG Women’s Open with Korda and Ryu in featured group
The AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes will feature a notable grouping for its opening rounds, with Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu playing together. Both golfers have achieved multiple major victories this season, marking a historical first for two players in a single season. Miyu Yamashita is the defending champion at the event.
Nelly Korda, the world No. 1, secured wins at the Chevron Championship and the US Women’s Open. Following her, Haeran Ryu claimed the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship. Either Korda or Ryu could become the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to win three majors in a calendar year. Ryu is aiming for a third consecutive major win and will tee off at 8:42 AM alongside Korda and 2024 champion Lydia Ko.
Featured Groupings and Key Players
The grouping of Ko, Korda, and Ryu is one of two marquee threeballs scheduled for Featured Group coverage on Thursday. Live coverage of the opening round will begin at 9 AM. Lottie Woad is also among the early starters, playing alongside Aki Iwai and Andrea Lee. Woad is seeking to become the first Englishwoman to win a major since Georgia Hall in 2018, who also won at this venue.
Defending champion Miyu Yamashita is in the later half of the draw, starting at 1:15 PM with world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul and Lauren Coughlin. Yamashita is attempting to be the first back-to-back winner of a women’s major since Yani Tseng. Charley Hull is also in the late-early half of the draw, playing with Hannah Green and Brooke Henderson. Hull has recorded two runner-up finishes in the last three years at this event.
England’s Alice Hewson will hit the opening tee shot at 6:30 AM on Thursday. The tournament features a 144-woman field with a one-tee start. This event also serves as the final qualifying opportunity for European players aiming for a spot in the Solheim Cup. The Team Europe roster will include the top two players from the European Solheim Cup Team points standings and the next six eligible players from the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. Anna Nordqvist will then announce four captain’s picks on Monday.
Korda’s Recent Form and Preparations
Nelly Korda has experienced a period of varied form since her win at Riviera Country Club. She did not manage to catch Haeran Ryu at Hazeltine, subsequently missed the cut at the Evian, and finished T16 at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open. During the Scottish Open, Korda recorded one under-par round at Dundonald Links.
Korda took a week off after the Evian, spending time in Prague to reset before the final major of the year. She described the Scottish Open as an “up-and-down week” but noted that playing in varied weather conditions served as good preparation for the AIG Women’s Open. Korda aims to complete the LPGA‘s career Grand Slam, which involves winning four of the five majors.
The AIG Women’s Open will have Featured Groups coverage starting at 9 AM on Thursday and Friday, with full coverage beginning at 1 PM. Live coverage for rounds three and four will start at midday over the weekend.
Source: skysports.com