Number 3 Yoo Haeran’s Great Challenge: “This Time, Aiming for Three Consecutive Major Wins”

Season’s Final Major: AIG Women’s Open Awaits
Chasing Historic Streak Not Achieved Since Park Inbee in 2013
Rested During Last Week’s Scottish Open, Ready in Top Form

World No. 3 Yoo Hae-ran is set to take on a great challenge in the United Kingdom.

Yoo Hae-ran will compete at the AIG Women’s Open, the final major tournament of the 2026 season on the LPGA Tour, taking place at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club (par 72, 6,601 yards) in Lancashire, England, on July 30 (Korean time). The total prize fund is 10 million dollars.

She is aiming for the rare achievement of three consecutive major titles at this event. In LPGA Tour history, only three players have accomplished this feat: Babe Zaharias in 1950, Mickey Wright in 1961 (both from the United States), and “golf empress” Inbee Park in 2013. Yoo Hae-ran will attempt a run at three consecutive major wins for the first time in 13 years.

Yoo Hae-ran challenges a three-peat in major tournaments at the AIG Women's Open. Photo by AFP News Agency

Yoo Hae-ran has been on a steep upward trajectory recently. Last month, she claimed her first-ever major championship at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Two weeks ago, she followed it up with a victory at the Amundi Evian Championship, notching back-to-back major wins. These make her two wins this season and five career victories overall. She currently ranks second in the money list, CME points, scoring average, and Player of the Year race.

She took a break last week, skipping the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open for rest. With her top form this year, she is aiming for a third consecutive major victory.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States is the strongest contender for the title. She has already secured four wins this season, including two major titles. She leads the money list, CME points, scoring average, and Player of the Year standings. If she wins this event, she will achieve a career Grand Slam by securing four out of the five major titles.

Korean players are also strong contenders. Kim Hyo-joo, who has captured two victories this year (the Cognizant Founders Cup and the Ford Championship), along with Lee Mi-hyang (Blue Bay LPGA) and Jiyai Shin (ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open)—each with one win—form a powerful squad of champions.

Other players in pursuit of major titles include Kim A-lim, runner-up at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open, as well as Yoon Ina, Kim Se-young, Choi Hye-jin, and Jeon In-ji. Adding to the excitement, super rookie Kim Min-sol, who dominated the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour this year, is also eyeing an upset.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.