Charley Hull chasing Open breakthrough after five runner-up finishes

Charley Hull arrives at Royal Lytham & St Annes aiming to finally claim major silverware after five runner-up finishes, while Nelly Korda is widely viewed as the favourite for the Women’s Open. Korda has publicly backed Hull’s chances and praised her personality and game.

Hull, the 30-year-old English player, has accumulated five runner-up finishes at major championships and will attempt to convert another near miss into victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Nelly Korda, who has four major titles with half of those triumphs coming in 2026, reached Lancashire as one of the leading contenders. The contrast between Korda’s recent major success and Hull’s repeated close calls has only increased interest in whether the home favourite can secure a breakthrough.

Home supporters have made Hull one of the tournament’s most popular figures, in part because of her flair on and off the course. That popularity was underlined by Korda’s endorsement ahead of the championship, an endorsement that framed Hull as not only a strong competitor but also a personality who would be welcomed by local fans. “She’s such a great personality,” said Korda. “I think it would be great for her to do it on kind of home soil, too. She’s an amazing player, a funny personality for sure. I enjoy playing with her any time. It would be great for the game of golf.”

Korda’s arrival in Lancashire — carrying four major victories, two from 2026 — set the scene for a contest that pairs a player in the ascendancy with one chasing long-awaited major success. Observers have noted the narrative tension between Korda’s recent dominance and Hull’s sequence of near misses, which has generated strong rooting interest for the Englishwoman. Royal Lytham & St Annes now represents the latest chance for Hull to alter the major record that has so far eluded her.

Hull’s style and public profile have made her a focal point for supporters seeking a home champion, while Korda’s form makes her a logical pre-tournament pick. The pairing of those storylines — a decorated recent winner versus a perennial runner-up — has added colour to the build-up without changing the simple fact that Hull has yet to secure a major title despite multiple close calls.

The Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes offers Hull another opportunity to turn long-standing near misses into history, and Korda’s backing has only amplified the spotlight on the 30-year-old. Fans at the course will watch to see whether Hull can finally convert her string of runner-up finishes into the major victory that has so far proved elusive.