Yoo Hae-ran is set to challenge for a historic record at the final major tournament of the LPGA Tour season.
The AIG Women's Open, the fifth major of the LPGA Tour this year, will take place from July 30 to August 2 at the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Links in Lancashire, England, with a total prize purse of $10 million.
The main focus of the tournament will be whether Yoo can achieve three consecutive major wins in a single season. After securing her first major title at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in June, Yoo followed up with a victory at the Amundi Evian Championship in July, marking her second consecutive major win. If she wins the AIG Women's Open, she will become only the fourth player in LPGA Tour history to achieve three major wins in a single season, following Babe Zaharias in 1950, Mickey Wright in 1961, and Inbee Park, who accomplished the feat in 2013 after a 52-year gap.
Additionally, if Yoo lifts the trophy, she will set a record for the most major wins in a single season by a South Korean player since Inbee Park's three major victories in 2013 (Kraft Nabisco Championship, Wegmans LPGA Championship, and U.S. Women's Open).
Yoo's strongest competitor is world No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States. Korda, who has won the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women's Open this year, will complete her 'Career Grand Slam' if she wins this tournament.
Both players are also in a tight race for the Annika Major Award, given to the player with the best performance in major tournaments throughout the year. Currently, Korda leads with 126 points, while Yoo is closely trailing with 120 points.
Ahead of the tournament, Yoo expressed her thoughts at an official press conference, stating, "The challenge of going for three consecutive major wins is an incredible opportunity. I never had a major win before, so just having the chance to compete is something I am grateful for." She added, "Rather than focusing on the need to achieve three wins, I see the challenge itself as an honor. Winning two majors is already a significant achievement, and I am thankful for that. I will be playing with Korda and Lydia Ko on the first day, and I look forward to learning and enjoying the experience."
One variable to consider is the challenging links course in England. To minimize the impact of the strong coastal winds, Yoo has prepared a mini driver instead of a 3-wood to enhance her accuracy. She remarked, "The ball tends to be affected by the wind more than I expected. I have experienced links courses a few times, but returning here, I realize it is not easy. Just getting the ball near the greens will be a successful day for me."
The recent surge of South Korean players adds to the excitement surrounding the tournament. Yoo's two major wins and Shin Ji-yoon's victory at the Scottish Women's Open last week have propelled South Korean women’s golf to three consecutive LPGA Tour titles. If a South Korean player wins this tournament, it will mark four consecutive victories and elevate the country to the top of the national wins category with seven titles this season.
Other participants include Kim Hyo-joo, who has two wins this year, as well as Kim Sei-young, Kim A-rim, and Choi Hye-jin. Also competing is 'rookie' Kim Min-sol, who leads the KLPGA Tour in wins and earnings.
Regarding her fellow players' recent successes, Yoo said, "Seeing my seniors win is truly something to celebrate. It motivates me greatly. When they perform well, it inspires me to become a better player. They set a great example for me to follow."
Yoo also offered heartfelt encouragement to younger players, stating, "I also did not have a major win domestically, and I went three years without a major win in the U.S. I like the saying, 'Everyone blooms at their own time.' Instead of feeling anxious about not winning or not having a major title, if you keep working quietly, your day will come."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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