Royal Lytham's British Magic: Hull & Woad Eye Women's Open

There's something about Royal Lytham & St Annes that seems to whisper secrets to British golfers. Perhaps it's the way the Lancashire wind knows their names, or how the links turf remembers the footsteps of champions past. Whatever the magic, this storied venue has twice crowned home winners at the Women's Open—and this week, the stage is set for history to repeat itself.

A Course That Rewards the Familiar

When you stand on the first tee at Royal Lytham, you immediately understand why this place favors those who've grown up playing links golf. The course doesn't announce itself with ocean views or dramatic elevation changes. Instead, it presents a more cerebral challenge—a chess match played with wedges and rescue clubs, where local knowledge and an intimate understanding of firm, running fairways separate champions from also-rans.

Catriona Matthew claimed the Claret Jug here in 2009, navigating Lytham's 206 bunkers with Scottish precision. Nine years later, Georgia Hall did the same, her victory a masterclass in controlled aggression on a course that punishes the wayward and rewards the brave.

Now, in 2026, two more English golfers arrive with genuine hopes of continuing that remarkable tradition.

Hull's Unfinished Business

Charley Hull began her week at Royal Lytham in characteristic fashion—convincing her caddie Adam Woodward that he'd won £100,000 on a lottery scratchcard purchased from a Blackpool joke shop. The 30-year-old from Kettering has always worn her personality openly, a refreshing authenticity in a sport that can sometimes feel buttoned-up.

But beneath the pranks and the easy smile lies a competitor carrying the weight of five major runner-up finishes. "Frustrating, very frustrating," Hull admitted to BBC Sport. "I feel like people can add a bit of pressure on you sometimes as well because I am human at the end of the day."

Her most recent heartbreak came at June's US Open at Riviera, where world number one Nelly Korda held off Hull's late charge. Yet even in defeat, Hull showed the closing mettle that major champions require—holing crucial putts on 17 and 18, hitting a pitching wedge that carried 175 yards into the final green.

That's not the performance of someone who can't win the big one. That's the performance of someone who's due.

Woad: The Rising Force

If Hull represents experience tempered by near-misses, world number five Lottie Woad embodies the fearlessness of youth meeting exceptional talent. The English star has emerged as one of the favorites for this final major of the year, her game seemingly built for the demands of links golf.

Woad's presence among the favorites speaks to a broader truth about British women's golf right now—it's enjoying a golden generation. The talent pool runs deep, and Royal Lytham's penchant for identifying UK champions feels less like coincidence and more like inevitability when you consider who's teeing it up this week.

The Lytham Factor

I've walked Royal Lytham on days when the wind barely stirs and days when holding a scorecard feels like wrestling a kite. The course reveals different personalities depending on conditions, but one constant remains: it demands complete shots. There are no bailout areas, no friendly bounces that save misses.

The 206 bunkers—those infamous hazards that seem to guard every landing area—require not just avoidance but respect. British golfers who've spent their formative years learning to flight the ball under wind, to read subtle breaks on links greens, to manage their expectations on days when par feels like birdie—they arrive here with an inherent advantage.

Matthew knew this. Hall proved it. Hull and Woad have the opportunity to confirm it.

Key Takeaways

Royal Lytham's track record is remarkable: Both previous Women's Opens here produced British champions—Catriona Matthew (2009) and Georgia Hall (2018).
Charley Hull arrives with momentum despite heartbreak: Her nine professional wins and five major runner-up finishes suggest she's knocking loudly on the door.
Lottie Woad represents the next generation: Currently world number five, she's among the favorites for good reason.
Links knowledge matters: British golfers raised on these conditions carry an advantage that statistics alone can't capture.

Sometimes a course and a moment align perfectly with a player's destiny. Royal Lytham & St Annes has shown before that it speaks the language of British champions. This week, we'll discover if Hull or Woad have been listening.