The 2025 AIG Women’s British Open has kicked off at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales, coinciding with World No. 1 Nelly Korda’s 27th birthday on Monday, July 28. The American star marked the occasion surrounded by her caddie, coach, and a close friend who traveled from London, while also taking her first walk around the historic links course. This major championship, the final one on the LPGA calendar, presents a fresh challenge for Korda as it is the first time the AIG Women’s British Open is being held at Royal Porthcawl.
Despite a dominant 2024 season where Korda won seven times, including two major titles, her 2025 campaign has been a rollercoaster. Heading into the British Open, she had yet to secure a victory in her first dozen starts this year. However, statistical insights from the tour’s KPMG Performance Insights reveal that Korda’s scoring average and strokes gained metrics—both overall and putting—are actually better than at the same point last year. Interestingly, no player has managed to win twice so far in 2025, underscoring the depth and competitiveness of the field.
In preparation for the British Open, Korda took an unusual route by competing in the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open just a week prior, finishing a strong fifth at Dundonald Links. She noted, “Typically with my body structure, I don't love to play two weeks in high winds because I start to sway a lot more. Just something that I've noticed throughout the past couple years, but it just lined up perfectly with my schedule. For me, everything is about my schedule flowing.” The softer conditions at Dundonald allowed for aggressive play, a contrast to what she expects at Royal Porthcawl, where gusts of up to 25 mph on Thursday and 30 mph on Friday are forecasted.
Speaking about the course’s demands, Korda said, “I feel like it's maybe a little bit more demanding off the tee, as in maybe with other links courses, you can hit driver and there are some bunkers in the way, but here you definitely can't hit driver. It sometimes may be an iron off the tee, but then with the wind direction and the wind strength, there's just way too much trouble on the fairway. Once you're in one of those bunkers, like in all links golf courses, it's just a pitch-out.” On her birthday, she played the front nine and spent time chipping and putting on the back nine, describing the views on the first four holes as “breathtaking.”
Korda’s preparations and mindset are also influenced by her recent pairing with rising star Lottie Woad at the Scottish Open. The 21-year-old Englishwoman has taken the golf world by storm, winning the Irish Open as an amateur, finishing tied for third at the Amundi Evian Championship to earn her LPGA tour card, and then clinching her first professional victory at the Scottish Open. Korda praised Woad’s composure and maturity, saying, “I was very impressed with her composure, her process. When it comes to her shot routine, especially under pressure and in the heat of the moment, sometimes people seem to fidget and kind of doubt themselves, but she stuck to it, she stuck to her process every single time. I think that's one of the main things that I noticed is how mature she is for her age and how comfortable she was in the heat of the moment.”
Woad’s rapid ascent has been remarkable, climbing to No. 24 in the Rolex World Rankings shortly after turning professional. She is paired in the early rounds of the British Open with former world No. 1 and defending champion Lydia Ko and 2023 champion Lilia Vu, while Korda will be grouped with Ariya Jutanugarn and Angel Yin. Meanwhile, Jenno Thitikul, who is nipping at Korda’s heels for the top ranking, will play alongside Minjee Lee and Charley Hull.
Korda’s history at the AIG Women’s British Open is notable. This week marks her 10th appearance, with five top-15 finishes in nine prior starts, including a shared second-place finish last year at the Old Course. Since 2019, her eight top-five finishes in majors, including two wins, are the most on tour, with Minjee Lee trailing with seven top-fives and three victories. Despite these accomplishments, Korda remains grounded. When asked about the importance of the British Open to her legacy, she responded, “I feel like I don't really have anything more to prove to people ever. For me, it's just, I'm passionate about the game. I love the game. I love playing in these kind of conditions, testing my game, and getting to play against the best players in the world. Having something to prove to myself, I don't think I really need to do that. For me, it's just enjoying it and being in the heat of the battle.”
Off the course, Korda’s fashion choices at the tournament have sparked discussion. On Tuesday, July 29, she wore an olive green collared shirt with oversized outer pockets and a military-style camouflage pattern, which drew mixed reactions from fans on social media. Some likened it to the controversial golf attire of Jason Day, while others questioned its appropriateness for a golf course setting. Despite the chatter, Korda’s focus remains firmly on her game and the challenge ahead.
On Thursday, July 31, Korda opened her AIG Women’s Open campaign with a solid 2-under-par 70, positioning herself three shots behind the leaders. The Golf Central crew highlighted her round, noting that a series of clutch shots prevented her score from climbing higher. In a post-round interview, Korda emphasized the importance of patience, particularly given the unusual tee setups and challenging conditions at Royal Porthcawl. “Yeah, hopefully getting a little bit more confidence under your belt, especially in the conditions and on this golf course. That’s all you can hope for. Every day is so different,” she said. “I was expecting the tees to be where they were the first three days when we were practicing. Obviously we always tee off from the back, and a lot of them were so far up the tee boxes today. The majority of the holes were up. It just depends how they also play — the R&A, how they set it up and how they play it. Yeah, every day is a challenge and you kind of just have to be very patient out here.”
Korda also revealed her strategic approach to the course, noting that she relied more on irons off the tee than drivers or woods to adapt to the conditions. This tactical adjustment could prove crucial as the tournament progresses and the winds whip across the seaside links.
As the AIG Women’s British Open unfolds, all eyes will be on Korda to see if she can end her victory drought and add another major title to her impressive resume. The competition is fierce, with rising stars like Woad making waves, but Korda’s experience, resilience, and passion for the game position her as a formidable contender. With the wind swirling and the course demanding patience and precision, the stage is set for a thrilling battle at Royal Porthcawl.
