Charley Hull is aiming for her first major victory at the Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, after five runner-up finishes. The English star, aged 30, has come close multiple times, including being pipped by Miyu Yamashita last year and finishing one shot behind Nelly Korda at last month's US Women's Open.
Korda backs Hull for home success
World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who has won four majors including two in 2026, endorsed Hull's chances. 'She's such a great personality. I think it would be great for her to do it on kind of home soil, too,' Korda said. 'She's an amazing player, a funny personality for sure. I enjoy playing with her any time. It would be great for the game of golf.'
Korda noted Hull's consistency: 'That's sometimes how she goes. It's about putting yourself in that position. You can't control what others are doing but she's doing something right to always be there and be relevant, to be in the hunt.' She compared Hull to Sam Burns, who has been in contention in majors without winning. 'Eventually he will. You can't get discouraged, it has to be encouraging.'
History favours English winner at Lytham
The last Women's Open at Lytham in 2018 saw England's Georgia Hall claim her first major. The scorched links will test players, with Korda expecting to use her driver only five times per round, adding a four-iron instead. The men's Open is due to return to Lytham in 2028.
Korda's mindset and family support
Korda, comfortable with being the top player, credited her family for support. 'My parents are people that I go to all the time for advice. My sister, too. They've seen every side of me and know me the best,' she said. She decided to stop getting frustrated on the course. 'I hit a great shot, it goes in a divot and I would get frustrated. It's draining having that attitude. I just told myself, I'm not going to have this attitude.'
Ko inspired by fellow Kiwi Fox
Lydia Ko, who beat Korda to win the 2024 Women's Open, drew inspiration from Ryan Fox's Open victory at nearby Royal Birkdale. Fox became the fourth New Zealander to win a major. Ko recalled watching: 'I took an Uber ride back home. As soon as I got home he was on the 18th, and when I saw that drive I was so relieved but like so excited, super pumped. I screamed when his winning putt went in.'
