'Missed opportunity' for Hull and Woad for maiden major win

English hopes Charley Hull and Lottie Woad finished four strokes behind eventual AIG Women's Open champion Shiho Kuwaki (-5) in tied-sixth as both failed to mount a final-round challenge on Sunday at Royal Lytham & St Annes

By Ali Stafford at Royal Lytham & St Annes

Sunday 2 August 2026 22:24, UK

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Charley Hull and Lottie Woad will be left cursing a "missed opportunity" to claim a maiden major win at the AIG Women's Open, according to Dame Laura Davies.

Hull and Woad finished four strokes behind eventual champion Shiho Kuwaki (-5) in tied-sixth as both failed to mount a final-round charge on Sunday at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Woad started the day at three under but fell away when posting her first over-par round of the week, while Hull could not build on a birdie start as two double-bogeys at three and seven sunk her challenge.

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"They'll both see this as a missed opportunity because five under has won it," Sky Sports Golf's Davies, a four-time major winner, said of Hull and Woad.

"Charley played a little bit in and out, whereas Lottie was really solid, she just didn't hole enough putts."

Speaking to that point, Hull had 17 birdies over the week, trailing only world No 1 Nelly Korda's 19, who finished one stroke better in a tie for fourth.

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But Hull also posted 12 bogeys, in addition to the two costly doubles in her final round which, if removed, would have also secured her a place in the play-off at five under.

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"Charley made a few too many mistakes," Davies added. "And that's just the way she plays golf; she goes full out attack.

"She was pretty disciplined this week, but I think she'll think, 'I was only four back and I should have been in there right at the death.'"

There's plenty of positives for the 22-year-old, however, with a fifth top-10 finish for her fledgling career that will see her make a debut Solheim Cup appearance for Team Europe next month.

"Woad didn't roll in enough putts," Andrew Cotter said on commentary. "But she continues this remarkable run of three Women's Open Championships played and a third top-10.

"Again she shows her quality and a major will surely happen for her in the future - she's only 22-years-old.

"It's another top-10 but just not quite there on this occasion."

The Ladies European Tour stays in England for the PIF London Championship, beginning Thursday at the Centurion Club, while the LPGA Tour takes a week off before the Standard Portland Classic from August 13-16. Get Sky Sports or stream golf and more with no contract.

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