Yoo Hae-ran to challenge for historic third consecutive major win

South Korean golfer Yoo Hae-ran is on the cusp of a potentially historic achievement as she prepares to compete in the AIG Women's Open, the final major championship of the LPGA Tour season. Yoo enters the tournament with victories in the last two majors, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship, positioning her to attempt a rare third consecutive major title.

This remarkable feat has only been accomplished by two golfers in the history of women's golf: Babe Zaharias in 1950 and South Korea's own legend, Park In-bee, in 2013. Should Yoo Hae-ran triumph at Royal Birkdale, she would etch her name alongside these golfing icons, marking the first time since Park's achievement 13 years ago that a player has won three majors in a single season.

The competition, however, will be fierce. World No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States, who has also won two majors this season, stands as Yoo's primary rival. The winner of the AIG Women's Open will also secure the Annika Major Award for the best performance across the season's majors. Korda is also aiming for a career Grand Slam with a victory at this event.

South Korea boasts a strong contingent of contenders, including Kim Hyo-joo, who has two LPGA Tour wins this year, and Shin Ji-eun, a recent winner of the ISPS Handa Scottish Women's Open. Other notable Korean players in the field include Ko Jin-young, Choi Hye-jin, and Yang Hee-young, among others. A victory by Yoo or Kim would also extend a current streak of three consecutive LPGA Tour wins by Korean players, adding another layer of national pride to the event.