Thitikul Leads Major
Thitikul Fires Record Bogey-Free 64 to Seize Two-Shot Lead at AIG Women's Open
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Key Points
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Thitikul's bogey-free 64 sets a new record for the lowest opening-round score in the Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
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Haeran Ryu has just captured back-to-back majors (the PGA Championship at Hazeltine and the Evian Championship) and is chasing the rare three-majors-in-a-year feat, after opening with a birdie and adding several early birdies before a late bogey and finish.
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World No. 1 Nelly Korda, among the big-name challengers, started slowly and finished two-over par in the opening round.
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Charley Hull, returning from five months after giving birth, had a tough first round and finished five over, acknowledging nerves and pressure as she tried to contend in a major so soon after childbirth.
Thailand's Atthaya 'Jeeno' Thitikul fired a bogey-free, seven-under 64 to lead the AIG Women's Open by two shots after the opening round at Royal Lytham & St Annes, according to Free Malaysia Today. The score is the lowest opening-round score ever posted at this venue, putting the world No. 2 in prime position to claim her first major title.
South Korea's Haeran Ryu and Japan's Shiho Kuwaki share second place at five-under par, reports Head Topics. Ryu arrives at Royal Lytham having won back-to-back majors this month, making her one of the most dangerous challengers in the field.
Thitikul's Record Round Sets the Tone Early
Thitikul played seven birdies and made no mistakes across her opening 18 holes. Her 64 broke the Royal Lytham record for the lowest first-round score in Women's Open history, according to Compleat Golfer. The Thai star is a five-time Ladies European Tour winner but has never won a major — that hunger showed in every hole on Thursday.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda struggled in contrast. She finished two-over par in round one, leaving her well off the pace. Korda will need a sharp turnaround to stay in contention over the weekend.
Ryu Hunts Historic Three-Majors-in-a-Year Feat
Haeran Ryu is chasing golf history. She won the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Hazeltine and the Evian Championship in back-to-back starts earlier this month, per Head Topics. No player has won three majors in a single calendar year in women's golf in the modern era. A win at Royal Lytham would be the sport's defining moment of 2026.
Ryu opened with a birdie at the first hole and kept the pressure on early. A late bogey kept her from matching Thitikul's pace, but sitting just two back after round one keeps her firmly in the hunt. Japan's Shiho Kuwaki joins her at five-under, adding another strong presence near the top of the board.
Charley Hull Returns From Childbirth to a Tough Day
England's Charley Hull made headlines just by teeing it up. She returned to major competition just five months after giving birth, according to Coast FM. Hull acknowledged nerves and pressure in the first round. She finished five-over par — a rough start, but her presence alone drew wide attention from fans and media.
Compatriot Lottie Woad sat at two-under par after round one, keeping two English players in the public eye for the week. The contrast between Hull's tough day and Woad's solid start sums up the unpredictable nature of major championship golf.
What to Watch as the Year's Final Major Unfolds
The AIG Women's Open is the last major of 2026. The leaderboard after round one is packed with both established stars and hungry challengers. Thitikul leads at seven-under. Ryu and Kuwaki sit at five-under. Korda sits at two-over — well back but never out. The gap between first and tenth could shrink fast over the next three days.
Thitikul has the momentum, the record-setting score, and the experience of competing near the top of the world rankings all season. But Ryu has something harder to measure — the confidence of a player who has already won two majors this year and believes she can win a third, per Free Malaysia Today.
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