Jeeno Thitikul has taken an early lead at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes, recording the lowest opening round ever at the venue for the championship. The world number two completed her round with seven birdies and no bogeys, finishing with a score of 64.
This performance places Thitikul two shots ahead of Haeran Ryu and Shiho Kuwaki. Ryu, a two-time major winner, posted a five-under 66. She is aiming to achieve a third consecutive major victory, a feat last accomplished by Inbee Park in 2013. Kuwaki also finished with a score of 66.
Celine Boutier, a Solheim Cup star, made a bogey-free start to her tournament, placing her within three shots of the lead. Boutier, along with Yealimi Noh, is currently at four-under-par after the first day of play.
English golfers make strong start
English golfers Charley Hull and Lottie Woad both concluded their opening rounds five shots behind the leader. Hull, who has been a runner-up in majors on five occasions without securing a victory, had an eventful start to her campaign. Her round included six birdies and four bogeys, ultimately finishing two-under-par.
Hull expressed initial nerves on the first tee but managed a strong start with a long-range birdie on the par-three first hole. Despite a three-putt on the next hole and a bogey on the fourth, she capitalised on both par-fives on the front nine. She also holed a 12-foot putt on the ninth to compensate for a dropped shot on the eighth, turning in 34.
Hull briefly moved within three shots of the lead after a birdie on the par-five 11th and a long putt from off the 15th green. However, a bogey on the subsequent hole meant she remained at two-under, alongside Woad.
Woad also had a blemish-free start, finishing her round with a two-under 69. She noted that she hit many fairways and greens but struggled with putting. A lip-out on the par-five sixth resulted in a birdie, and she made another long-range birdie on the par-three 12th. Woad created multiple opportunities to narrow the gap to Thitikul’s lead.
The defending champion, Miyu Yamashita, is currently eight strokes behind the leader after an opening round of 72. World number one Nelly Korda faces a challenge to avoid missing consecutive major cuts, having recorded a two-over 73.
Thitikul’s record-breaking performance
Thitikul’s opening round of 64 marks the lowest score ever recorded in the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham. Her performance from tee to green was described as superb, positioning her at the top of the early leaderboard as she pursues her first major victory.
She surpassed the initial clubhouse target set by Ryu, who had an impressive round featuring six birdies and one bogey. Ryu’s recent victories include the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship.
The tournament also plays a role in determining the qualifiers for Team Europe’s Solheim Cup squad. Eight automatic qualifiers will be confirmed on Sunday, with Anna Nordqvist announcing her four captain’s picks on Monday. Chiara Tamburlini currently holds a slight advantage over Helen Briem for the second spot via the Ladies European Tour rankings, though both players had challenging opening rounds, scoring 75 and 76 respectively.
Early coverage of the event continues on Friday from 9am.
Source: skysports.com
Adam Rutherford is a Senior Football Correspondent at News-UK. He spent his early career filing match reports across the North West. He focuses on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Manchester Metropolitan University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Manchester, he coaches a youth team and watches grassroots football. “Every transfer window hides a dozen real stories.”
