Home Hopes at Royal Lytham & St Annes
The AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes features strong home representation, with Charley Hull and Lottie Woad among the players expected to contend. The tournament marks the final golf major of the year, and both English golfers are aiming for a significant win on home soil.
Charley Hull, a professional from Kettering, has experienced a mixed season, though her share of second place at the US Open stands out as a highlight. She has previously achieved five major runners-up finishes and will be looking to secure her first major title. Hull’s recent form includes a victory at the Saudi Ladies International earlier in the year.
For Hull, the challenge at Royal Lytham & St Annes is significant, especially given her past near-misses in major tournaments. She finished in a share of second place at Royal Porthcawl a year ago, two shots behind Miyu Yamashita. Hull has spoken about the pressure she feels and the mental test that comes with competing in front of home support.
Lottie Woad, currently ranked fifth in the world, is participating in the event for only the third time. She has previously achieved top 10 finishes in her prior appearances, including one as an amateur. Woad demonstrated her skill on links courses with a commanding victory at last year’s Scottish Open in her professional debut.
Woad, who turned professional a year ago, has already secured two professional wins. Her most recent victory occurred in May at the LPGA’s Kroger Queen City Championship in Cincinnati, where she won by two shots over Haeran Ryu. She also lost a play-off to Miyu Yamashita at the Meijer LPGA Classic, missing a putt for victory on the final green in Michigan.
Key Groupings and Defending Champion
The tournament will see several notable groupings for the opening rounds. World number one Nelly Korda is paired with Haeran Ryu, who has claimed two consecutive majors. This pairing is significant as either player could become the first since Inbee Park in 2013 to win three majors in a calendar year. Lydia Ko, the 2024 AIG Women’s Open champion, will also join Korda and Ryu, with their tee time set for 8:42 AM.
Lottie Woad will be part of an early action group, teeing off at 8:31 AM alongside Aki Iwai and Andrea Lee. Charley Hull is scheduled for a later tee time at 1:26 PM, playing with Hannah Green and Brooke Henderson. Hull will aim to improve upon her two runner-up finishes in this event over the last three years.
Defending champion Miyu Yamashita, who is seeking to become the first back-to-back winner of a women’s major since Yani Tseng, will begin her round at 1:15 PM. She is grouped with world number two Jeeno Thitikul and Lauren Coughlin. Georgia Hall, the 2018 AIG Women’s Open champion at Royal Lytham & St Annes, will tee off at 12:42 PM with fellow champion Hinako Shibuno and Valentine Delon.
The course at Royal Lytham & St Annes is known for its classic links golf characteristics, including numerous bunkers. Lottie Woad, despite a lower finish in last week’s Scottish Open defence, feels better prepared for the conditions at Lytham, noting the difference in course softness compared to the previous year’s event at Dundonald.
Solheim Cup Implications
Beyond the major title, the AIG Women’s Open serves as the final qualifying event for European players hoping to secure a spot in the Solheim Cup. The European team will comprise 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 who have not already qualified.
Following the tournament, Anna Nordqvist will announce her four captain’s picks for the Solheim Cup. The competition features a 144-woman field, with England’s Alice Hewson hitting the opening tee shot at 6:30 AM on Thursday.
The tournament offers a chance for both experienced players and rising stars to make their mark. Lottie Woad, for instance, is often compared to Georgia Hall, who was also 22 when she won this title at the same venue. Woad has expressed her admiration for Hall’s past achievement at Lytham.
The event promises to be a rigorous test of seaside golf, with players navigating a course known for its challenging layout. The competition begins on Thursday, with early coverage available from 9 AM.
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Source: bbc.com
