Charley Hull arrives at Royal Lytham & St Annes for the Women's Open with five runner-up finishes in majors, and home fans are eager to see her break through.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who has won four majors including two in 2026, endorsed Hull's chances. “She's such a great personality,” Korda said. “I think it would be great for her to do it on kind of home soil, too. 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.”
Hull's Close Calls
Last year Hull was beaten by Miyu Yamashita. In last month's US Women's Open, she finished one shot behind champion Korda. “That's sometimes how she goes,” Korda added. “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.”
Korda compared Hull to Sam Burns, who has often contended in majors without winning. “Eventually he will. You can't get discouraged, it has to be encouraging.”
History Favours an English Winner
The last Women's Open at Lytham, in 2018, saw England's Georgia Hall claim her first major. The scorched links will test players; Korda expects to use her driver only five times per round, adding a four-iron instead. The men's Open returns to Lytham in 2028.
Korda's New Mindset
Korda, more comfortable as the focal point, credited her family for support. “My family always make sure that my batteries are recharged,” she said. “My dad and my mum are always telling me to take more days off. I'm like: 'No, no, I don't want to. I want to grind on my craft.'”
After a frustrating 2025, she decided to change her attitude. “I decided that I need to stop getting so frustrated with everything. I hit a great shot, it goes in a divot and I would get frustrated. What is going on? Why am I getting these bounces? It's draining having that attitude. I just told myself, I'm not going to have this attitude.”
Ko Inspired by Fox
Lydia Ko, who beat Korda to win the 2024 Women's Open, drew inspiration from fellow New Zealander Ryan Fox after his Open win at Royal Birkdale. Fox became the fourth New Zealander to win a major, moving Ko to tears. “He's very humble and I would say he's your typical Kiwi guy that happens to be a freak athlete,” Ko said. “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. I closed the door and I screamed. My husband ran out and was like: 'What's happening?' Ten seconds later I was just crying.”
