Hae-ran Yoo Aims for Third Consecutive Major Win... Korea Seeks Seventh AIG Women's Open Title

Se Ri Pak Opens Major Era With 2001 Victory

Ji-ae Shin Triumphs Twice, in 2008 and 2012

Inbee Park Achieves Career Grand Slam in 2015

Korean women's golf is setting out once again to reclaim the AIG Women's Open title. Korean players have together claimed a total of six wins at this event, creating numerous memorable moments throughout its history. This year, Hae-ran Yoo is aiming for her third consecutive major championship victory, while In-gee Chun is seeking both the title and a career Grand Slam.

According to the LPGA Tour on July 30 (local time), the 2026 AIG Women's Open, featuring a total prize purse of 10 million dollars, has opened at the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Links (par 72) in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England. Established in 1976, this tournament is the season’s final major; five different Korean players have won it a total of six times, demonstrating their formidable presence.

Se-ri Pak is smiling brightly while holding the trophy after winning the AIG Women's Open, which was elevated to major status in 2001. Provided by LPGA

The first trophy for Korea was lifted by the 'golf empress' Se Ri Pak. At that time, the event was called the British Women's Open. It was elevated to major status in 2001, and Pak became the first major champion there by defeating Mi-hyun Kim by two strokes.

Inbee Park wrote new milestones for Korean women's golf at the AIG Women's Open. She won the Chevron Championship, KPMG Women's PGA Championship, and U.S. Women's Open in succession in 2013, capturing three straight majors. However, she finished tied for 42nd at the AIG Women's Open that year, falling short of the single-season Grand Slam dream. In 2015, though, she overcame a three-shot deficit in the final round to capture the title, becoming the first Korean player to complete the career Grand Slam. This also marked the last major victory of her career.

Inbee Park won the 2015 AIG Women's Open, achieving a career Grand Slam. Provided by the LPGA

Ji-ae Shin, with 67 professional victories to her name, has maintained a deep connection with this tournament. While playing on the KLPGA Tour in 2008, she entered the AIG Women's Open as an invited player and clinched the win. In 2012, she defeated Inbee Park by nine strokes to take her second title, setting the record for the largest margin of victory since the tournament became a major. Shin also remains the only player to have won the AIG Women's Open twice. She joins the title chase again this year.

The AIG Women's Open has also held special significance for Jeong Jang and In-kyung Kim. Jang captured her first and only major title at this event in 2005, while Kim's victory in 2017 stands as the most recent win by a Korean at the AIG Women's Open.

Shin Ji-ae is cheering after securing the victory with the largest margin in strokes at the 2012 AIG Women's Open. Provided by LPGA

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