Sky Sports Golf podcast: ‘There’s no doubt’ Charley Hull gets the nod but can he build ‘dream’ rivalry with Nelly Korda? | Golf News
Former AIG Women’s Open champion Karen Stupples has “no doubt” Charley Hull will end her wait for a major title and could enjoy a “dream” showdown between the Englishwoman and Nelly Korda.
Hull narrowly missed out on becoming the first Englishwoman to win a major since 2018 at the US Women’s Open, where she finished tied with Gaby Lopez as Korda won by one shot at the Riviera Country Club.
Korda’s back-to-back major titles increased his chances of becoming world No. 1 and continued his impressive start to the 2026 season, while Hull finished second in his career.
Hull admitted it was “frustrating” to fail again, as she did with the 2023 edition, although Stupples – one of only four Englishwomen to win – has full faith in the 30-year-old to finally pull it off.
“There’s not a single doubt in my mind that he’s going to win the big one,” former major champion Karen Stupples. he told the Sky Sports Golf podcast. “It is possible that he will end up winning at Royal Lytham this year because of the experience he had here.
Subscribe now to: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | The speaker
“I remember the last time the US Women’s Open was in California, it was at Pebble Beach. She got really close there at Pebble Beach, then she moved on to Walton Heath and she played really well at Walton Heath.
“You’re going to keep putting yourself in these positions and eventually something has to stick. If you keep putting yourself in this position, eventually you’re going to win – that’s where I think you are.
“I mean, his game is perfect for the majors. I think right now with his short game, his putting, and the work he’s been doing, I think he’s great. I think it’s those little things he’s doing in the short game that’s going to take him to that level.”
How Hull’s style can lead to great success
Hull was seven strokes clear of the lead and outside the top 40 after rounds of 73 and 72 over the first two days at Riviera Country Club, and he got back into contention with a third-round 65 – the lowest of his major career – on Saturday.
He eagled the par-five first hole in his final round and added five birdies, briefly pulling ahead on his own after taking a shot at the 11th, though he stumbled once up the leaderboard and ended up behind after a four-under 67.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Charley Hull holed a 12-foot birdie on the par-five first to make a dream start in the final round
“He [Hull] he says he likes to chase but he really enjoys the heat of the battle, being in contention and competing to win,” Stupples added. “He does everything he can to win.
“Here in America they have a saying: ‘the prevent defense’, which is when American football teams lead well and try to prevent the other team from scoring, instead of playing their game and trying to score more points.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Charley Hull holed a 12-foot birdie on the par-five first to make a dream start in the final round
“Defense doesn’t work and it always makes me sad when my teams try to play that way. I think it’s the same with Charlie on the golf course. He can’t play defense – that’s not who he is and how he plays golf.
“Ultimately when you play you have to be true to yourself and your golf DNA and who you are on the golf course, because it doesn’t work if you’re something else. I understand why he does [stay aggressive] and I think in the end it will lead to a win.”
Charley Hull also finished runner-up at the 2016 Chevron Championship, 2023 US Women’s Open, 2023 AIG Women’s Open and 2025 AIG Women’s Open.
Can Hull challenge Korda and create a new golf rivalry?
Korda’s victory followed April’s Chevron Championship success and made him the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to win the first two majors in a calendar year, while Hull’s runner-up finish moved him to fourth in the latest world rankings.
Both will be among the favorites for the final three majors of the year before appearing in the Solheim Cup competition in September, and live on Sky Sportswith Stupples relishing the prospect of two fan favorites going head-to-head in the coming months and years.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Watch the moment Nelly Korda won her fourth major, pulling off a stunning victory after nearly missing a putt!
“That would be a dream come true,” Stupples said. “When you’re the commissioner of the LPGA, you think ‘yeah, let’s bring that rivalry!’ I think they both add a lot to the women’s game in different ways.
“Charley is such a great person and Nelly seems so strong on the course. I think this could be a great fight if we go forward and I’m thinking about the Solheim Cup and that coming up later this year.
“I think this is something that can be teased throughout the year and throughout their playoffs. What we need is for Charley to get over the line a few times to be a proper, real contender. Right now, Nelly is just going through things.”
Sky Sports continues to be the home of outstanding women, with all five exclusively live throughout the 2026 season and LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour action. Get Sky Sports or stream golf without a contract.
