Updated

Updated · Sky Sports · Jul 30

AIG Women's Open Starts With 144-Player Field as Korda Chases 4th Major for Grand Slam

Updated

Updated · Sky Sports · Jul 30

AIG Women's Open Starts With 144-Player Field as Korda Chases 4th Major for Grand Slam

Q: Who jumped to 3-under early at the AIG Women’s Open, and can anyone survive Royal Lytham’s brutal links test to catch her?

The early 3-under leader was not identified in the material provided, only that one player stood alone at 3-under through seven holes as Round 1 began at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. As for whether the field can catch her, the answer is clearly yes. It was still very early in the opening round, with a large part of the 144-player field either only a few holes in or not yet on the course. Three players were already just two shots back at 1-under, and a sizable group sat at even par, which on a course like Royal Lytham keeps plenty of contenders alive. Royal Lytham is built to compress leaderboards. The par-71, 6,601-yard links layout is one of the sternest tests in women’s golf, with more than 167 pot bunkers, a demanding par-3 opener, and exposed conditions that become far more difficult when the wind rises. Forecasts for Thursday called for 12-18 mph winds with stronger gusts and possible showers, meaning low scores were unlikely to come easily. That also makes patience critical. A player at 3-under early has made an excellent start, but sustaining that over 72 holes is a different challenge. Proven stars such as Nelly Korda, Haeran Ryu, Lydia Ko, Jeeno Thitikul, Charley Hull and defending champion Miyu Yamashita were either just beginning or still waiting to tee off, leaving the tournament far from settled. On this course, no early lead is likely to be safe.

3 articles · Updated · Sky Sports · Jul 30

Royal Lytham & St Annes opened the 50th AIG Women’s Open on Thursday, launching the final women’s major of 2026 with defending champion Miyu Yamashita back in the field.
Nelly Korda entered as the pre-tournament favorite, needing a fourth different major title this week to complete the career Grand Slam.
Yamashita, 24, arrived in strong form after winning the Meijer LPGA Classic in June and finishing tied fifth at last week’s Women’s Scottish Open.
A 144-player field also includes home hopes Lottie Woad and Charley Hull seeking first majors, plus Haeran Ryu chasing a third major title of the season.
Play began at 6:30 a.m., with the top 65 and ties advancing after 36 holes; forecasts call for light winds, temperatures near 20-21C and some rain risk.