Ryu Hae-ran and Nelly Korda face off at the AIG Women’s Open, with Ryu aiming for her first major title as the event’s prize pool hits a record.
Both players have already secured two major titles this season, and the final major of 2026 could decide the “major queen” title, a distinction tied to the Rolex Annika Major Award. Ryu, who won the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in July, is positioned to make history if she claims victory, while Korda, the world No. 1, seeks to complete a potential three-major sweep.
Prize Growth and Historical Context
The tournament’s history is rich, with past champions like Inbee Park (2013) and Yani Tseng (2010-11) etching their names into golf lore.
Ryu’s journey to this moment has been marked by resilience.
Ryu’s Ascent and Korda’s Challenge
Ryu’s path to the AIG Women’s Open has been defined by her ability to adapt. After a brief hiatus following her KPMG victory, she returned to the course with renewed focus, emphasizing the importance of controlling the controllables
in links-style play.
Her performance at the Evian Championship, where she finished tied for 12th, was a stark contrast to her earlier success. Despite her struggles, Korda leads the Rolex Annika Major Award standings with 126 points, six ahead of Ryu’s 120, though both players remain in contention for the title.
The Battle for the Annika Major Award
The Rolex Annika Major Award, established in 2014, rewards the LPGA player with the most consistent performance across the five majors. Korda’s lead in the standings gives her a significant advantage, but Ryu’s recent success could shift the narrative. A win at the AIG Women’s Open would not only secure Ryu the award but also make her the first Korean player to achieve the feat since Inbee Park in 2015. For Korda, a victory would cement her status as the second player in history to win the award twice, following Minjee Lee’s achievements in 2022 and 2025.
The stakes are high for both players. If Ryu wins, she would join an elite group of Korean champions, including Yoo So-yeon (2017) and Ko Jin-young (2019). Korda, on the other hand, could become the first player to win three majors in a single season since Park in 2013.
A Legacy in the Making
For Ryu, the AIG Women’s Open represents a culmination of her journey. Her win at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, where she overcame a 10-stroke deficit, has been a turning point. I got a lot of confidence after two major champion, but this is another golf course and another golf,
she said, emphasizing her focus on the present.
The outcome of the AIG Women’s Open will have far-reaching implications. For Ryu, a victory would not only secure the Rolex Annika Major Award but also establish her as a top-tier contender in the sport. For Korda, the tournament represents an opportunity to complete a historic three-major sweep, a feat that would place her among the greats. The event also sets the stage for the CME Group Tour Championship, where the Rolex Annika Major Award will be officially presented.
As the tournament approaches, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Ryu and Korda will perform on the links. With the prize purse at a record and the stakes higher than ever, the AIG Women’s Open promises to be a defining moment in both players’ careers. Whether Ryu secures her first major or Korda completes her historic sweep, the event will be remembered as a pivotal chapter in women’s golf history.
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