CHARLEY HULL admits she must win a major to consider herself a rival to Nelly Korda.

The world number seven has finished runner-up five times in golf’s biggest tournaments and is hoping to go one better as she heads into the Women’s Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes this week.

World number one Korda, meanwhile, already has four major titles to her name, including this year’s Dinah Shore Cup and US Women’s Open.

Hull, among the leading hopes for a first British winner at the Open since 2018, said at a press conference: “I don’t really see it as a rivalry at the minute because, no offence, Nelly has got however many majors and I’ve got none.

“I’ve got five second places. Let me get my major in first, and then that’s something we can think about in the future.”

Korda will open her challenge in the company of Ryu Hae Ran, winner of the last two majors, and 2024 Open champion Lydia Ko in a star-studded group.

Another home hope, world number five Lottie Woad, will play with Japan’s Aki Iwai and American Andrea Lee.

Woad said: “I think for any British player this would be the dream one to win.

“I like playing links golf and I’m sure it will be a good test with the wind. It’s always been my favourite watching, and it would be a dream to win it.”

Woad was 14 when Georgia Hall triumphed at the same venue eight years ago.

She said: “I remember watching all the rounds of that and obviously supporting an English player trying to win. I think that was my earliest memory watching it.

“I always looked up to the likes of her and Charley. It was inspiring watching her win that.”