AIG Women's Open 2026: Record Crowds Create Access Challenge for Ryu, Korda, Ko Fans
The AIG Women's Open 2026 at Royal Lytham & St Annes saw spectator numbers comparable to men's major championships. Following leading players, including Hae Ran Ryu, Nelly Korda, and Lydia Ko, became difficult, indicating rising interest in women's professional golf.
AIG Women's Open 2026 Sees Increased Attendance
The AIG Women's Open 2026 at Royal Lytham & St Annes demonstrated a notable increase in spectator numbers. Observers noted crowd densities comparable to men's major championships. A marquee grouping drew significant attention. This included Hae Ran Ryu, Nelly Korda, and Lydia Ko.
Ryu and Korda arrived in Lancashire having secured four of the five women's major championships contested in 2026. Ryu had won the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship. Korda had lifted the Chevron Championship and the US Women’s Open trophies. Lydia Ko completed the group. She was a past AIG Women's Open champion from two years prior at St Andrews.
Spectators packed around Royal Lytham’s 1st green. They hoped for a clear view of these top players. This immediate crowd presence showed the strong interest in women's professional golf.
Crowd Dynamics Present Viewing Challenges
Following the leading groups at Royal Lytham presented immediate challenges for spectators. Gaining a clear view of players, even on the practice range, required effort. Crowds packed around the 1st green and tee. This made unimpeded viewing difficult. English players Lottie Woad and Charley Hull also drew substantial galleries.
Woad's par putt and Hull's birdie on the 17th green generated significant applause across the course. Hull’s supporters followed her every shot. This created a moving mass of people. Spectators could not simply walk behind the players. They needed to anticipate crowd movements. They also had to plan their viewing positions.
The conditions mirrored crowd dynamics often found at the men's Open Championship. This required patience and strategic choices for vantage points.
Navigating Course Bottlenecks
The spectator experience involved navigating dense gatherings throughout the course. After the 1st hole, players moved towards the railway line. This offered a brief respite from the crowds. However, galleries quickly lined the fairways, several people deep, as play continued. The dunes surrounding the 3rd green provided a natural viewing area.
Spectators perched high above the action there. Yet, bottlenecks formed, particularly approaching the 4th tee. Here, seeing players like Ko required standing on tiptoes. It also meant peering over shoulders. Similar congestion occurred at the far end of the course. This was near the 8th green and 9th tee. Spectators often relied on cheers to track play.
They moved towards the sound rather than seeing every shot. This demonstrates a shift in how fans attend women's major golf.
Implications for Golfers and Asian Markets
The significant crowd numbers at the AIG Women's Open 2026 demonstrate a growing audience for women's professional golf. This rising interest may affect future tournament planning. This includes course selection and spectator management. Organisers could face increased pressure to manage larger galleries. This may influence ticket pricing and access strategies.
For golfers travelling from Asia to attend major championships, this means preparing for denser crowds. Anticipate less open viewing space. Plan to arrive early for prime positions. This is particularly true when following popular players like Ryu or Ko. This trend suggests top-tier women’s golf events in Asia could also see increased attendance.
Examples include the Hana Financial Group Championship or the Blue Bay LPGA. Organisers in these markets may need to review infrastructure and crowd control measures. This will accommodate similar growth.
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