Jeongeun (Jeeno) Thitikul surged to the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the AIG Women's Open, while England's Charley Hull experienced a roller‑coaster start in her quest for a long‑awaited major title. Thitikul posted a flawless, bogey‑free 64, featuring seven birdies, at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes course. The 22‑year‑old from Thailand, currently ranked world No.
2, earned a two‑stroke cushion over two‑time major champion Ha Ryu and Japan's Shiho Kuwaki, both of whom carded respectable scores but fell short of the Thai's brilliance. Ryu, who shot a five‑under 66, remains in contention for an unprecedented three‑peat of major championships – a feat not achieved since Inbee Park completed a three‑in‑a‑row in 2013. Fellow Solheim Cup participant Celine Boutier also opened with a clean, bogey‑free round, positioning herself three shots back.
Lottie Woad, the 22‑year‑old English rookie, delivered a solid two‑under 69, staying within five of the lead. Hull, a five‑time runner‑up in major tournaments yet to capture a victory, posted a more erratic 70, mixing six birdies with four bogeys, which also left her five strokes behind the leader.
Defending champion Miyu Yamashita struggled, carding a 72 that left her eight strokes off the pace, while world No. 1 Nelly Korda posted a disappointing 73 and now faces the prospect of missing back‑to‑back majors – something she has managed to avoid throughout her career. Hull entered the round with high expectations, having finished second in the AIG Women's Open for two consecutive years and hoping to become the first Englishwoman to win a major since 2018. She got off to an encouraging start on the opening par‑three, sinking a long‑range birdie that hinted at a possible breakthrough.
However, a three‑putt on the second hole resulted in a bogey, and she later stumbled on the fourth. Despite those setbacks, Hull capitalised on both front‑nine par‑fives, and a dramatic 12‑foot putt on the ninth hole helped her post a respectable 34 for the front nine.
Hull briefly narrowed the gap to three strokes after a birdie on the 11th hole and an extraordinary putt from off the 15th green, but a subsequent bogey on the 16th halted her momentum, leaving her level with Woad at two under par. "I was so nervous on that first tee – I was shaking!" Hull admitted to Sky Sports after her round. "It felt great to open with a birdie. I missed a few putts today, but overall I think I played decently given how nervous I was." Woad’s round was marked by consistency rather than fireworks.
She hit a high percentage of fairways and found the greens in regulation, yet struggled to convert those opportunities into putts. "I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens – I just didn’t make enough putts," she said.
"Good shots around here are 15 to 25 feet from the flag, which aren’t easy. I got some nice rolls but missed the finish." Thitikul’s 64 stands as the lowest opening‑round total ever recorded at Royal Lytham in the history of the AIG Women’s Open.
The Thai, still seeking her first major title, displayed a seamless blend of power and precision from tee to green. 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 combining six birdies with a single bogey. "I do enjoy it when golf is good," Thitikul reflected.
"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 your way. I also felt confident with my putting today." The tournament also serves as the final qualifying event for the European Solheim Cup team. 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 slim lead over Helen Briem for the second spot via the Ladies European Tour rankings, though both players posted high opening rounds of 75 and 76 respectively, putting their Solheim Cup hopes in jeopardy. Fans can follow the unfolding drama throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf, with early coverage beginning Friday at 9 a.m. and full live broadcast from 1 p.m.
onward. For those who prefer streaming, the event is also available via Sky Sports’ no‑contract streaming service.
Beyond the competition, golf enthusiasts are reminded that they can secure tee times at over 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland through the platform’s booking tool. By entering a course name, city, or postcode, players can find available slots, though a recent search returned no results, indicating high demand during the major championship week.
As the second round approaches, the leaderboard remains fluid. Thitikul will look to extend her lead, Hull hopes to steady her performance and finally break the runner‑up streak, and Woad aims to translate her solid start into a higher finish.
The AIG Women’s Open continues to deliver compelling narratives, dramatic swings, and the promise of a first major champion emerging from a field packed with seasoned veterans and rising stars alike.