Korda, Ryu set for blockbuster duel; Saso eyes redemption
MANILA, Philippines — The LPGA Tour couldn't have scripted a more compelling opening act for the season's final major championship.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda and South Korea's Haeran Ryu, who have split this year's first four major titles in back-to-back fashion, headline a blockbuster opening-round grouping in the AIG Women's Open beginning Thursday at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, England.
Korda captured the season's first two majors — the Chevron Championship and the US Women's Open — before Ryu seized the spotlight by winning the Women's PGA Championship and the Evian Championship. Their first 36-hole showdown in the year's final major promises to be one of the tournament's biggest attractions.
Joining them in the marquee group is Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko, creating a star-studded trio set to tee off at 8:42 a.m. from the first hole. While much of the attention will understandably focus on Korda and Ryu, Ko's wealth of experience and proven ability to thrive on the biggest stages make her a dangerous contender in her own right.
Although Ryu arrives riding the momentum of consecutive major victories, Korda enters as the player to beat. The American has repeatedly demonstrated the composure and championship pedigree needed to excel under pressure, qualities that could prove invaluable on one of golf's most demanding links layouts.
Royal Lytham & St Annes will provide a stern examination of every facet of a player's game. The par-71, 6,601-yard course is famed for its 174 strategically placed pot bunkers, many of which come into play on nearly every hole. Combined with unpredictable coastal winds and firm, fast-running fairways, precision and patience will be every bit as important as power throughout the week.
Players who can keep the ball in position, avoid costly mistakes in the deep bunkers and manage the ever-changing wind conditions are expected to separate themselves in what promises to be a fascinating battle for the coveted title worth $1.5 million from the tournament's $10 million purse.
For Yuka Saso, the championship represents more than another opportunity to contend for a major — it offers a chance to revive a season that has yet to regain its footing.
Since capturing her second US Women's Open title in May 2024, Saso has struggled to rediscover the form that made her one of the LPGA Tour's most feared competitors. A string of disappointing finishes and several missed cuts, including in major championships, have stalled her momentum.
After taking what she described as a much-needed break, however, the Filipino-Japanese star returns refreshed and determined to reset her campaign. Backed by ICTSI, Saso hopes the change in mindset translates into a turnaround this week.
She tees off at 9:24 a.m. from the first hole alongside China's Yan Liu and Singapore's Shannon Tan, aiming to negotiate Royal Lytham's punishing opening stretch and build early momentum.
Another featured pairing sees World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul begin her quest for a maiden major championship alongside American Lauren Coughlin and defending champion Miyu Yamashita of Japan at 1:15 p.m. on No. 1.
Brooke Henderson, who fell to Ryu in a playoff at the Evian Championship, also arrives with renewed confidence. The Canadian major winner starts at 1:26 p.m. with Australia's Hannah Green and England's Charley Hull in another high-profile grouping.
The first marquee group of the morning features newly turned professional Lottie Woad, Japan's Akie Iwai and American Andrea Lee, who tee off at 8:31 a.m.
Woad returns to Royal Lytham, where she captured the Smyth Salver as low amateur on her championship debut before following that performance with a tie for eighth at Royal Porthcawl last year. Lee owns two top-10 finishes in the AIG Women's Open, placing tied for seventh in 2020 and tied for ninth in 2023, while Iwai finished tied for seventh two years ago.
Other notable groups include major champions Hyo Joo Kim, Minjee Lee and Mao Saigo, who begin at 8:20 a.m., while Ruoning Yin, Nasa Hataoka and Jennifer Kupcho tee off at 1:04 p.m.
Former champion Georgia Hall, who lifted the trophy at Royal Lytham in 2018, will play alongside 2019 champion Hinako Shibuno and 2026 Women's Amateur champion Valentine Delon at 12:42 p.m.
Meanwhile, the world's top-ranked amateur, Kiara Romero, headlines one of Friday morning's featured groups when she tees off at 7:58 a.m. with Sweden's Linn Grant and former World No. 1 Jin Young Ko.
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