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After Major Heartbreak, Charley Hull Guns for Women’s Open Glory
The Women’s Open at Royal Lytham: Korda vs. Hull and the Quest for Glory
Welcome to the ultimate showdown! The Women’s Open has arrived at Royal Lytham & St Annes, and the storylines are richer than a chocolate lava cake. Let’s break down everything you need to know—like you’re five, but with all the juicy details.
The Main Characters
Nelly Korda – The Machine
- Current world #1 and defending champion
- 4 major wins (half of them in 2026 alone!)
- From Florida, USA
- The betting favorite to win this week
Charley Hull – The People’s Champion
- 30-year-old Englishwoman playing on home soil
- 5 runner-up finishes in majors (so close, yet so far!)
- Famous for her flamboyant personality and fearless play
- The crowd favorite—everyone wants her to finally break through
Lydia Ko – The Silent Assassin
- 2024 Women’s Open champion
- From New Zealand
- Recently inspired by fellow Kiwi Ryan Fox winning the men’s Open at Royal Birkdale
Why This Tournament Is Extra Special
| Reason | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Home soil for Hull | English fans are desperate for a home winner |
| History repeats? | Last time here (2018), Georgia Hall won her first major |
| Scorched links course | Brown, fast, firm—totally different from American courses |
| Trial run for 2028 | Men’s Open returns here in 2028—this is the dress rehearsal |
Korda’s Secret Weapon: A New Mindset
IMPORTANT POINT
Nelly Korda didn’t just get better at golf—she got better at thinking.
After a frustrating 2025, she realized: "Getting mad at bad bounces is draining. I’m done with that attitude."
Her support system:
- Parents – both pro tennis players
- Brother – still plays pro tennis
- Sister Jessica – also on the LPGA Tour
- They force her to take days off (she’d rather grind!)
The Korda Mental Reset (3 Steps):
- Notice the frustration – "I hit a great shot, it went in a divot, I got mad"
- Question it – "Why am I letting this drain me?"
- Choose differently – "I’m not going to have this attitude anymore"
How the Course Changes Everything
Royal Lytham isn’t your typical golf course:
- Links golf = no trees, lots of wind, deep bunkers, firm ground
- Korda’s strategy: Driver only 5 times per round (usually 14!)
- Her secret weapon: A 4-iron she’s added to her bag
- Why? When the ground is hard, the ball rolls forever—accuracy beats distance
Think of it like bowling on ice: You don’t throw harder—you aim better.
The Hull Narrative: "So Close, So Often"
Charley Hull’s major heartbreaks:
| Tournament | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Women’s Open | 2025 | Lost by 1 shot to Miyu Yamashita |
| US Women’s Open | 2026 | Lost by 1 shot to Nelly Korda |
| + 3 other majors | Various | Runner-up |
Korda on Hull: "She’s doing something right to always be there. You can’t control others, but you CAN control putting yourself in position. Eventually, it clicks."
The Sam Burns comparison: Like the PGA Tour player who kept contending in majors before finally winning—persistence pays.
Lydia Ko’s Emotional Rollercoaster
Ko watched Ryan Fox win the Open at Royal Birkdale (nearby):
- Workout interrupted – Made her trainer put the Open on her phone
- Uber ride home – Glued to the screen
- Fox hits winning drive – "So relieved, super pumped"
- Winning putt drops – Screamed, then cried in her doorway
- Husband runs out – "What’s happening?!"
Ko’s takeaway: "He’s your typical Kiwi guy—humble, but a freak athlete. If he can do it, why not me?"
Summary: What to Watch This Week
| Storyline | Why It’s Compelling |
|---|---|
| Korda vs. Hull | Machine vs. Heart; Favorite vs. Fan Favorite |
| Hull’s 6th chance | Will the "bridesmaid" finally become the bride? |
| Links golf mastery | Who adapts best to the weird, wonderful bounces? |
| Ko’s revenge tour | Inspired by Fox, defending her 2024 title |
| 2028 preview | The men return in 3 years—this course is getting tested |
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: What’s a "links course" anyway?
A: Think of the oldest golf courses in Scotland—built on sandy coastal land ("links" = connecting land between sea and farms). No trees, deep pot bunkers, wind decides everything, and the ground is hard as a rock. The ball rolls way farther than normal.
Q: Why does Korda only hit driver 5 times?
A: On firm links courses, a 300-yard drive might roll into a bunker or the rough. A 4-iron goes 200 yards and stops. It’s like choosing a putter over a driver on a tight hole—control > power.
Q: Has Charley Hull ever won a major?
A: Nope! That’s the whole drama. Five second-place finishes. She’s the "bridesmaid" everyone wants to see become the bride. A win at Lytham—on English soil—would be the story of the year.
Q: Why is the 2028 men’s Open relevant now?
A: Royal Lytham hasn’t hosted the men’s Open since 2019. This women’s event is a test run—organizers watch everything: crowds, transport, course setup, TV logistics. It’s like a scrimmage before the real game.
Q: Who’s the real favorite—Korda or Hull?
A: Vegas says Korda. Hearts say Hull. Korda’s the best player on the planet right now. But Hull’s game fits links golf perfectly, and the crowd energy could be worth 1-2 shots. That’s why we watch!
Final Thought
Golf is cruel. It’s also beautiful.
Charley Hull has stared into the abyss of "almost" five times. Nelly Korda has conquered the mountain four times. Lydia Ko has tasted glory and wants more.
This week at Royal Lytham, one of them writes the next chapter.
Will it be the machine, the people’s champion, or the defending queen?
Grab your tea, find a comfy spot, and let’s find out together.
