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3w ago

Thitikul Leads After Round One as Ryu Presses and Korda Stumbles at Women's Open

Jeeno Thitikul's bogey-free 64 alongside Haeran Ryu's 66 puts pressure on Nelly Korda's chase for a career Grand Slam and Hall of Fame points.

Charley Hull of England plays a shot during a Pro-Am prior to the AIG Women's Open 2026 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes on July 29, 2026 in Lytham St Annes, England.
Jun 26, 2026; Chaska, Minnesota, USA; Lydia Ko hits her approach shot on the 10th hole during the second round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Apr 19, 2024; The Woodlands, Texas, USA; Hae Ran Ryu (KOR) drives off the ninth tee during the second round of The Chevron Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
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Overview

  • On Thursday Jeeno Thitikul fired a bogey-free 7-under 64 to sit atop the leaderboard with Haeran Ryu two shots back after a 5-under 66.
  • World No. 1 Nelly Korda struggled to a two-over 73 in Round 1, leaving her with an early deficit but still able to secure a career Grand Slam and the LPGA Hall of Fame points she needs if she wins.
  • Charley Hull and Lottie Woad produced strong opening rounds around two-under to keep English hopes alive, with Hull's candid pre-tournament remarks and a lighthearted prank on her caddie shaping the human-interest narrative.
  • Royal Lytham's firm turf, pot bunkers and coastal wind are amplifying small errors and rewarding trajectory control, a challenge made sharper by a compressed major schedule that tests players' stamina and decision making.
  • The $10 million purse raises financial stakes and the wider season context matters because Korda and Ryu have split the first four majors and Ryu could become the first woman since Inbee Park in 2013 to win three majors in one year, leaving the championship wide open as play continues.