Jeongeun "Jeeno" Thitikul surged into the top spot after the opening round of the AIG Women's Open, while England's Charley Hull experienced a blend of highs and lows in her quest for a long‑awaited major title. Thitikul produced a flawless, bogey‑free 64 at Royal Lytham & St Annes, tallying seven birdies and establishing a two‑stroke cushion over two‑time major champion Haeran Ryu and Japan's Shiho Kuwaki. Ryu posted a solid five‑under‑par 66 as she aims to become the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to capture three consecutive majors, and fellow Solheim Cup participant Celine Boutier also enjoyed a clean round, positioning herself three strokes behind the leader. Lottie Woad opened her campaign without a blemish, carding a two‑under‑par 69, while Hull—who has finished runner‑up in five majors without yet securing a victory—mixed six birdies with four bogeys in a turbulent first round that left her five strokes off the pace.
Defending champion Miyu Yamashita found herself eight strokes back after a 72, and world No. 1 Nelly Korda faced the prospect of missing back‑to‑back majors after a two‑over‑par 73. Hull, who has been runner‑up at the AIG Women's Open for three consecutive years and hopes to become the first Englishwoman to win a major since 2018, began her round with a spectacular long‑range birdie on the par‑three first hole.
She then three‑putted on the second and dropped a bogey on the fourth, but recovered by taking advantage of both front‑nine par‑fives. A dropped shot on the eighth was erased when she holed a 12‑foot putt on the ninth, finishing the front nine with a 34.
Hull briefly closed the gap to three strokes after birdieing the par‑five 11th and holing an extraordinary putt from off the 15th‑green, only to stumble on the next hole and remain level with Woad at two under. Reflecting on her nerves, Hull told Sky Sports, "I was so nervous on that first tee – I was shaking! It was good to get off with a birdie. I missed quite a few putts today, but I felt I played pretty decently considering how nervous I was." Woad, the 22‑year‑old from England, also displayed a solid start, hitting many fairways and finding the greens in regulation.
She admitted, "I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens – I didn't make too many putts. Good shots around here are 15 to 25 feet from the flag, which aren't the easiest. I hit some good rolls, just didn't make enough." Thitikul's 64 marked the lowest opening round ever recorded at Royal Lytham in the history of the AIG Women's Open. The Thai star, chasing her first major, delivered a masterclass from tee to green, combining precise iron play, accurate driving, and confident putting.
She overtook the early clubhouse target set by Ryu, who had followed her recent victories at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship with a round that featured six birdies and only one bogey. When asked about her performance, Thitikul said, "I do enjoy it when golf is good.
It's really nice that I knew I hit some good shots. I got a lucky bounce over the pot bunker, so when it's your way it's really your way. I also knew I had a really good putter today." Beyond the leaderboard, the tournament also serves as the final qualifying event for Team Europe's Solheim Cup squad. Eight automatic qualifiers will be confirmed on Sunday, after which captain Anna Nordqvist will 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 posted opening rounds of 75 and 76 respectively, putting their Solheim Cup hopes in jeopardy. The AIG Women's Open will continue to unfold over the week with live coverage on Sky Sports Golf. Early coverage begins Friday at 9 a.m., with full broadcast from 1 p.m. onward.
Fans can also stream the action through Sky Sports' contract‑free streaming options, allowing flexible viewing on multiple devices. For golfers looking to experience the same courses featured on the tour, bookings are available at over 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
By entering a course name, city, or postcode, players can find the best rates and secure tee times for a round of golf at a venue that may one day host a major championship. As the tournament progresses, the narrative will focus on whether Hull can finally break her major runner‑up streak, if Woad can maintain her steady play, and if Thitikul can sustain her early momentum to claim her maiden major title. The drama of the Open, set against the historic backdrop of Royal Lytham & St Annes, promises compelling golf and a potential shift in the hierarchy of women's professional golf.