Nelly Korda Leads the Charge at AIG Women’s Open 2025 – Can She Secure Another Major?
Korda’s position as the pre-tournament favorite
Rolex World No. 1 Nelly Korda enters the 2025 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl, Wales, as the top seed and primary title contender. Despite not yet securing a victory in 2025, she demonstrated strong form by finishing tied for second at the U.S. Women’s Open in June and mounting a strong Sunday comeback to finish 5th at the Women’s Scottish Open just days before the championship begins
In the 2024 AIG Women’s Open at St. Andrews, she led after 36 holes and was in contention deep into the final round before ultimately finishing T‑2, her best result to date in the championship Women's Open.
Tune‑up and form at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open
At last week’s ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open, Korda carded a closing 66, achieving a finishing position of fifth—just three strokes back of Lottie Woad, who won the event in her professional debut. Though she didn’t secure the title, the performance signaled upward momentum ahead of the major
Despite her top ranking, Korda is still searching for her first win of the 2025 LPGA season—a notable departure from her dominant 2024 campaign, which featured seven wins, including a major and LPGA Player of the Year honors SBNation.com.
Health concerns and mental perseverance
Earlier in the summer, Korda experienced a neck spasm during a practice round at the Women’s PGA Championship. She withdrew from a related event but returned to competition wearing therapeutic tape as part of her recovery process. She's indicated confidence in managing the condition through the major season Sky Sports+15Reuters+15Talksport+15.
Still, the health setback introduces an element of caution in her preparation at Royal Porthcawl, where links-style demands and unpredictable wind conditions test flexibility and endurance.
Royal Porthcawl: A first-time venue with coastal challenges
The 2025 AIG Women’s Open marks the first time the event is held at Royal Porthcawl, a challenging links course characterized by firm turf, undulating fairways, deep bunkers, and exposure to seaside winds. With the championship set for July 31 through August 3, the venue presents a new major test in Korda’s career LPGA+10Today's Golfer+10The Times+10.
Many past champions—such as Lydia Ko, who won at St Andrews in 2024—have emphasized that links golf requires precision, strategic shot selection, and weather adaptability rather than sheer power Wikipedia+3Today's Golfer+3Women's Open+3.
Emerging challengers shifting the dynamics
While Korda is the marquee name, a strong European challenge is building. English rookie Lottie Woad has surged to the forefront, winning the Women’s Scottish Open in her pro debut by three strokes—besting Korda and signaling real major potential ahead of the AIG Women’s Open. Woad’s composed play included a final‑round 68 with just one bogey
Other threats include Lydia Ko, last year’s champion and recent winner of the HSBC Women’s World Championship, along with golfers like Maja Stark (recent U.S. Open winner), Minjee Lee, Grace Kim, and Charley Hull—a mix of experienced and rising contenders suited to links conditions
Stakes and implications for Korda
A win at Royal Porthcawl would mark Korda’s third career major and her first triumph of 2025, ending a growing narrative of pressure tied to her early-season drought. If she can adapt swiftly to the coastal links layout, control nerves in shifting winds, and manage her health, the opportunity could define her season.
However, in coming off a career-best 2024 campaign and recent health concerns, the spotlight intensifies. Her neck recovery—and ability to maintain flexibility under pressure—will likely be scrutinized throughout the event. With bookmakers placing odds between 10/1 and 14/1 on Korda, her position as favorite comes with tempered expectations from analysts who emphasize course fit and current form over ranking alone .
- How she handles Royal Porthcawl’s coastal winds and firm turf: links conditions favor accuracy over power.
- Her short game and putting, especially over fast greens with subtle breaks.
- Physical resilience: can she maintain competitive form through four rounds without aggravating her neck injury?
- Mental strength under pressure: leading a major comes with elevated scrutiny, especially with threats like Woad and Ko in close proximity.
Nelly Korda enters the 2025 AIG Women’s Open as the world’s top-ranked golfer and pre-tournament favorite, yet she faces a confluence of challenges: links golf adaptation, injury recovery, and a relentless field led by emerging talents like Lottie Woad and proven champions like Lydia Ko and Maja Stark. Her finish at the Scottish Open and runner‑up showing at the U.S. Women’s Open suggest rising momentum—but whether she can convert that into her first major win of 2025 remains to be seen.
With Royal Porthcawl offering a new test and several contenders hitting form at the right moment, the championship promises to be a compelling narrative of ambition, resilience, and strategic mastery.
