The final major of 2026 is here! Dive into the storylines, the pressure, and the players who could etch their names in golf history at the AIG Women’s Open.

Alright, listen up. It’s that time of year again. The final major. The one that wraps up the whole damn season for the ladies. And this year, it’s at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s. You know, the place where they try to drown you with wind and the bunkers look like they were dug by angry badgers. It’s gonna be a showdown. Nineteen players are under par after the first two rounds, which means things are tight. Real tight. But out of that pack, a few stories are screaming louder than the gulls over the North Sea. Let’s break down who’s got a shot at glory and who’s just here for the ride.

Haeran Ryu: Can She Make It Three in a Row?

This is the big one, isn’t it? Haeran Ryu. This woman is on fire. Like, a literal bonfire. She’s already bagged two majors this year. Two! And now? She’s leading this one. Pole position. She played the last 12 holes on Friday like she had a personal vendetta against par, five under. That’s some serious golf. You gotta wonder if she even notices who’s around her. She says she doesn’t. Just her and the course. Smart. Because in majors, especially at a place like Lytham, anything can happen. You start thinking about the other players, you’re already halfway to screwing it up. She’s World No. 3, and she’s playing like she’s got something to prove. Or maybe she just likes winning majors. Who wouldn’t?

She’s got the lead. She’s got the momentum. She’s got the hot hand. But can she close it out? That’s the million-dollar question. She’s got the pedigree now, two majors under her belt. That’s not beginner’s luck. That’s the real deal. She knows what it takes. She’s felt the pressure. She’s held the trophy. Now she’s got to do it again. And again. And again. It’s a tough ask. But she’s the one everyone’s chasing. And that’s a hell of a position to be in. Just gotta keep playing her game. Don’t get cute. Don’t get fancy. Just play golf. Simple. Right?

Jeeno Thitikul: The Patient Pursuit of a First Major

Then there’s Jeeno Thitikul. World No. 2. And still chasing that first major. She’s only 23. So, yeah, she’s got time. Plenty of it. But you don’t want to wait around forever, do you? She had a blistering start, then took a bit of a dip on Friday, a two-over 73. Still, she’s T3. Just two shots back. That’s right there. Within striking distance. While Nelly Korda and Ryu have been collecting majors like trading cards, Thitikul is still on the sidelines, waiting for her turn. Her advice to herself for the weekend? “Patient. Patient. Just really be patient.” Good advice for anyone, really. Especially when you’re trying to win a major. You can’t force it. You gotta let it come to you. And Lytham? That course will test your patience like a damn interrogation.

She’s got the talent. Everyone knows that. She’s been knocking on the door. Now it’s time to kick it down. She’s got the game to compete with anyone. It’s just about putting it all together when it matters most. That’s the difference between a good player and a great one. The ones who win the big ones. The ones who can handle the heat. The ones who don’t fold under pressure. She’s got the youth on her side. She’s got the hunger. She’s got the game. Now she just needs that little bit of luck, that perfect bounce, that moment where everything clicks. And if she stays patient, like she says, who knows? Maybe this is her weekend. Maybe this is the one where she finally breaks through.

Charley Hull: Shaking Off the Noise for a Shot at Glory

Charley Hull. Love her or hate her, she’s always got something going on, doesn’t she? Her prank on her caddie went viral. People had opinions. Loads of ‘em. She brushed it off, though. Said people need to be a bit tougher. Fair enough. But all that noise, all that drama, it can distract you. It can mess with your head. The good news for Hull? She’s in a great position to win her first major. All that circus stuff? It’s overshadowed the fact that she’s playing some damn good golf. She’s ready. She says her nerves have settled down. That’s a good sign. Nerves can kill you in a major. Especially at a place like Lytham. It’s brutal. It’s unforgiving.

She’s got the game. She’s got the grit. Now she needs to channel all that energy, all that focus, into hitting solid golf shots. No more distractions. No more drama. Just pure, unadulterated golf. She’s got the passion. You can see it. She wants this. Badly. And when you want something that bad, you can achieve amazing things. She’s in a good spot. She’s got a real chance. If she can keep the noise out of her head and just play her game, she could be holding that trophy on Sunday. It’s all about focus. And a little bit of that Hull swagger.

Nelly Korda: The Hall of Fame Beckons

And then there’s Nelly Korda. The undisputed queen of this major season. She’s already taken home the Chevron and the U.S. Women’s Open. Two majors. That’s a hell of a year. But she’s not done yet. Far from it. Now, she’s playing for something even bigger. A spot in the Hall of Fame. That’s the big leagues, folks. That’s immortality in golf. And if she wins this one? Boom. She’s in. Plus, she’d join that super-elite club of golfers who have won all four majors. The career Grand Slam. That’s rarefied air. You’re talking legends. You’re talking icons.

Her second-round 68 got her back into the red. She’s in striking distance. Playing well. Ball-striking looks solid. She’s got that look in her eye. She knows what’s at stake. She’s not just playing for a trophy; she’s playing for her legacy. That’s a lot of pressure. But Korda? She thrives on it. She’s got the game. She’s got the mental strength. She’s got the experience. She’s been there before. She knows how to win. She knows how to handle the pressure. She’s got the attitude. “Thirty-six in, 36 holes to go,” she said. “You never know what’s going to happen. It’s golf. It’s links golf. Just going to try to have the same attitude I had today going into the weekend.” That’s the mindset of a champion. She’s not fazed. She’s focused. And she’s dangerous. Very dangerous.

Lydia Ko: Chasing Magic on Familiar Turf

You can’t talk about major championships without mentioning Lydia Ko. Even when she’s not leading wire-to-wire, her name on a leaderboard always gets people talking. She’s T14 at one under par. Not exactly setting the world on fire, but she’s there. She’s within shouting distance. And she knows how to win this thing. She won the Open two years ago. She’s got that magic in her. She’s hoping to channel some of that. And maybe some of that Kiwi magic from Ryan Fox at Royal Birkdale a couple of weeks back. That guy was on another planet. Ko’s got that same potential. That same flair.

She said earlier this week, “I would love to kind of keep the dice rolling.” That’s the spirit. You gotta have that. You gotta believe you can do it. Even when things aren’t perfect. Even when you’re not leading by five shots. You just keep grinding. You keep putting one foot in front of the other. You keep hitting good shots. And you hope for the best. Lytham is a course that can reward a steady hand and a bit of nerve. Ko’s got both. She’s a former World No. 1. She’s got multiple majors. She’s got the experience. She’s got the talent. She’s a proven winner. And if she can find that spark, that extra gear, she could absolutely make a charge this weekend. Don’t count her out. Ever.

Look, it’s not just these five. This is a major championship. There are always players who emerge from the pack. Shiho Kuwaki is sitting in solo second. She could be the next Japanese star to break through. Lucy Li is in a position for her best major finish ever. Yealimi Noh and Lauren Coughlin are American hopefuls looking for their first major title. Lottie Woad is also a name to watch as a potential challenger. The beauty of golf, especially links golf at a place like Royal Lytham, is its unpredictability. The wind can blow from any direction, at any time. A player who looks dead in the water one minute can be back in contention the next. It’s a mental battle as much as a physical one.

This is where course management becomes absolutely crucial. You can’t just bash it around. You need to think your way around the course. Understand the wind. Know where to miss. Know when to be aggressive and when to play it safe. The players who can do that, the ones who can adapt to the conditions, are the ones who will be standing on that 18th green on Sunday with a chance to win. It’s a test of skill, nerve, and sheer bloody-mindedness. And that’s why we love it, right? Because you never know what’s going to happen. The drama is always there. The possibility of a legend being made. Or an underdog rising up.

The pressure of a major is immense. It can make or break careers. For some, it’s an opportunity to cement their place in history. For others, it’s a chance to overcome doubts and prove their worth. This weekend at Royal Lytham will undoubtedly be a crucible for these athletes. We’ll see who buckles and who rises to the occasion. It’s going to be a spectacle. A true test of golf. And I, for one, can’t wait to watch it unfold. Make sure you’re tuned in. You won’t want to miss this. For more on the intricacies of links golf and the challenges it presents, check out this guide on playing links golf .

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