Woad paired with Ko and Vu; Korda starts in the afternoon wave as major drama unfolds in Wales
The stage is set for a compelling start to the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl, with several of the game’s biggest names grouped together in marquee threeballs for the opening rounds of the season’s final major.
Pre-tournament favorite Lottie Woad will make her major debut as a professional alongside the last two Women’s Open champions — defending titleholder Lydia Ko and 2023 winner Lilia Vu — in one of Thursday’s most anticipated groupings. The trio tees off at 12:54pm in the late-early draw, with Woad hoping to continue a summer surge that’s already included back-to-back wins in Scotland and Ireland.
“It is going to be fun,” Ko said of the pairing. “Lilia is obviously a past champion… it will be my first time playing with Lottie, so I’m excited. She’s coming in with a ton of momentum.”
World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who finished runner-up to Ko at St Andrews last year, also starts her campaign on Thursday afternoon. She’ll go off at 1:16pm alongside 2016 champion Ariya Jutanugarn and world No. 6 Angel Yin — a formidable group with plenty of experience and firepower.
Meanwhile, Charley Hull — seeking her first major title — headlines the morning wave. She’s paired with world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul and KPMG Women’s PGA champion Minjee Lee at 8:31am in a group that promises aggressive play and major-winning pedigree.
Other standout early starters include Hinako Shibuno, Allisen Corpuz, and Chevron winner Mao Saigo (7:14am), as well as recent Evian champion Grace Kim, who tees off at 8:09am alongside Ruoning Yin and Brooke Henderson.
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