Thitikul surges to 2-shot lead

Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul fired a bogey-free seven-under-par 64 to seize a two-shot lead after the opening round of the 2026 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The world No. 2 produced a superb start to the final major championship of the year, making three consecutive birdies on the fourth, fifth and sixth holes. She added another birdie on No. 8 before picking up shots on the 11th, 13th and 15th to complete a record-setting round.

Thitikul said she benefited from solid ball-striking, favorable bounces around the course and a strong putting performance.

“I do enjoy it when golf is good,” Thitikul said. “I knew I had a really good putter today, too.”

She added that major championships provide a different test mentally and physically.

“When you play good in a major, even top five or top 10, you feel great and you have more confidence going to play just regular tournaments,” she said. “It’s about beating the course when you’re in a major.”

The 23-year-old also has fond memories of Royal Lytham. As a 15-year-old in the 2018 AIG Women’s Open, Thitikul won the Smyth Salver awarded to the leading amateur.

“I should be better than when I was 15 years old!” she said. “My strategy is to beat my score from when I was 15.”

Two-time major champion Haeran Ryu and Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki share second at five-under 66.

Ryu, the world No. 3, is chasing an extraordinary third consecutive major after winning the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and Amundi Evian Championship in succession.

She opened with a birdie at the first and added three more on Nos. 4, 6 and 7. After a bogey on the 15th, she responded with birdies on the 16th and 18th.

“The wind is still hard,” Ryu said. “I hit a couple times in the bunker, but it’s pretty good save, so hopefully tomorrow I stay more in the fairway.”

Kuwaki also carded a 66, overcoming one bogey with six birdies, including a closing birdie on the 18th.

“I managed my game well despite the strong winds and I was able to hole some key putts,” Kuwaki said.

American Yealimi Noh and France’s Celine Boutier are tied for fourth at four-under 67. Boutier was bogey-free and made an eagle on the sixth after reaching the green in two with a six-iron.

Japan’s Chizzy Iwai and Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen share sixth at three-under 68.

A group at two-under includes England’s Lottie Woad and Charley Hull, Singapore’s Shannon Tan, India’s Diksha Dagar and Spanish amateur Paula Martin Sampedro.

Woad was bogey-free, making birdies on the sixth and 12th, while Tan overcame a double bogey with five birdies and a bogey to finish at 69.

Tan, the 2025 LET Order of Merit winner, said her experience in previous majors has helped her become more comfortable competing against the world’s best.

“I’ve pretty much improved after every start in a major. It’s definitely trending the right way,” Tan said.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda, meanwhile, opened with a two-over-par 73 and faces an early fight to make the weekend.

Round two begins at 6:30 a.m. local time, with the cut to the top 65 players and ties at the end of the day.