A Major Quest at Royal Lytham
As the AIG Women’s Open arrives at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes, English star Charley Hull finds herself at the center of both championship expectations and administrative contention. The 30-year-old enters the final major of the 2026 season seeking to break a persistent streak of runner-up finishes, a goal that remains the defining ambition of her professional career.
Hull’s preparation was marked by a public dispute regarding the setup at the recent ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald. During her opening round, Hull recorded a quadruple-bogey nine on the 5th hole after a putt rolled off a green she described as having a pin position located dangerously close to a severe slope. Hull confirmed she contacted LPGA Tour commissioner Craig Kessler directly to voice her frustration, stating, “The pin shouldn’t have been there.” Despite the setback, Hull managed to make the cut and finished in a tie for 44th, emphasizing that her ball-striking remains in top form.
The Weight of Near-Misses
Hull has recorded five second-place finishes in major championships, including a painful loss to current world No. 1 Nelly Korda at the US Women’s Open in June. Reflecting on these experiences, Hull admitted that seeing posters of past champions at Royal Lytham serves as a constant reminder of the elusive trophy. “I’ve got five second places. It kind of hurts,” Hull noted. She remains focused on the task at hand, aiming to become the first English winner of the event since Georgia Hall triumphed at this same venue in 2018.
The mental toll of these narrow defeats is compounded by the intense pressure of home support. Hull, who has been battling minor injuries throughout the season, acknowledged that playing before a local crowd brings a unique weight, noting, “You feel like you let everyone down if you don’t quite play well.”
Looking Ahead at Royal Lytham
The field at Royal Lytham is bolstered by the presence of Lottie Woad, the 22-year-old rising star and world No. 5. Woad, who has secured two professional wins in her debut year, provides further hope for a home victory. Both players represent a new generation of British talent on the LPGA and Ladies European Tours, aiming to leverage the tactical demands of links golf to their advantage. As the tournament begins, the focus shifts from the controversy of the Scottish Open to the exacting test of the Lancashire links, where precision and composure will dictate the outcome of the final major of the year.