Jeongeun "Jeeno" Thitikul surged to the top of the leaderboard after the opening round of the AIG Women's Open, while Charley Hull experienced a roller‑coaster start in her quest for a long‑awaited major title. Thitikul produced a flawless, bogey‑free 64 at Royal Lytham & St Annes, carding seven birdies and establishing a two‑stroke cushion over two‑time major champion Haeran Ryu and Japan's Shiho Kuwaki. Ryu, who posted a five‑under‑par 66, remains in contention as she aims to become the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to capture three consecutive majors.
Fellow Solheim Cup participant Celine Boutier also enjoyed a clean round, positioning herself three shots back. Lottie Woad opened with a tidy two‑under‑par 69, keeping her within five of the lead. Hull, a five‑time runner‑up in major championships but still seeking her first victory, mixed six birdies with four bogeys in a dramatic opening round, also sitting five strokes behind Thitikul. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita fell eight strokes back after a 72, while world No.
1 Nelly Korda posted a two‑over‑par 73 and now faces the prospect of missing the cut for a second straight major. Hull, who has finished second in the AIG Women's Open three times in the past four years, opened brightly with a long‑range birdie on the par‑three first hole.
A subsequent three‑putt on the second hole led to a bogey, but she quickly recovered by taking advantage of both front‑nine par‑fives, turning a dropped shot on the eighth into a 12‑foot birdie putt on the ninth to post a 34 on the front nine. Later, Hull briefly closed to within three strokes of the lead after birdieing the 11th hole and holing a dramatic putt from off the 15th green, only to drop a bogey on the following hole and remain tied with Woad at two under.
"I was so nervous on that first tee – I was shaking!" Hull told Sky Sports. "It felt great to start with a birdie. I missed a few putts today, but overall I think I played decently considering how nervous I was." Woad, the 22‑year‑old from England, described her round as a mixture of solid ball‑striking and missed opportunities on the greens.
"I hit a lot of fairways and found a lot of greens, but I didn't convert many putts," she said. "Good chances around here are usually 15 to 25 feet from the flag, which aren't easy.
I rolled some great shots but just didn't make enough putts." Thitikul's 64 set a new benchmark for the lowest opening round ever recorded at Royal Lytham in the history of the AIG Women's Open. The Thai prodigy, who is chasing her first major, delivered a near‑perfect performance from tee to green, showcasing precise iron play, accurate driving, and confident putting.
She overtook the early clubhouse target set by Ryu, who had previously won the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship, by mixing six birdies with a single bogey. "I do enjoy it when golf is good," Thitikul remarked after her round. "It was great to know I was hitting solid shots.
I even got a lucky bounce out of the pot bunker – when it works out, it just works out. I also felt confident with my putter today." The tournament also serves as the final qualifying event for Team Europe’s Solheim Cup squad. After this week's competition, eight automatic qualifiers will be confirmed on Sunday, with captain Anna Nordqvist expected to announce her four captain's picks on Monday.
Currently, Chiara Tamburlini holds a narrow lead over Helen Briem for the second spot via the Ladies European Tour rankings, though both players struggled with opening rounds of 75 and 76 respectively. Broadcast coverage continues throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf, with early coverage beginning Friday at 9 a.m.
and full coverage from 1 p.m. onward. Golf fans can also stream the event and other sports without a contract through various online platforms. For those looking to play the courses featured on the tour, bookings are available at more than 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland.
Simply enter a course name, city, or postcode to find the best rates and secure a tee time. Overall, the opening day set the stage for a thrilling contest. Thitikul’s dominant start positions her as the early favorite, while Hull and Woad remain within striking distance, each hoping to capitalize on their strong starts.
As the field navigates the challenging links layout of Royal Lytham & St Annes, fans can anticipate dramatic shifts in the leaderboard, strategic play around the iconic bunkers, and the ever‑present quest for that elusive major victory.