Lottie Woad and Charley Hull found themselves just five strokes shy of the halfway leader at the AIG Women’s Open, while the surging Haeran Ryu surged to the top of another major leaderboard. Ryu, who is eyeing a historic third straight major victory—a feat not achieved since Inbee Park—rebounded from a three‑over start after the first five holes to post a brilliant two‑under 69 at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Her round featured five birdies, a turnaround that lifted her to seven under par and placed her a single stroke ahead of Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki. Kuwaki had set the early clubhouse benchmark with a solid 70 in the second round.
Overnight leader Jeeno Thitikul trailed by one, as did American Solheim Cup hopeful Yealimi Noh, both sitting just a shot back. Woad appeared poised to challenge for the outright lead but ultimately carded a level‑par 71, slipping with two bogeys in her final five holes. Hull matched that 71 after another mixed performance, leaving both players two under par as they headed into the weekend.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda remained in the mix, having improved to a 68 in the second round and moving to one under, keeping her in contention to contest Ryu for a third major of the season.
Defending champion Miyu Yamashita, however, missed the cut after a disappointing 77 that included a quadruple‑bogey. Hull admitted she had only about three hours of sleep before her round, yet the five‑time major runner‑up managed an early surge by erasing a bogey on the third hole with birdies on the sixth and eighth. Mistakes on the 10th and 15th holes caused her to lose ground, but a spectacular chip‑in birdie on the par‑four 17th reignited hopes of finally breaking through at a major. Woad, who started her round in the afternoon, missed a save on the second hole but then rattled off three birdies in a four‑hole stretch beginning at the sixth.
She stayed within two strokes of the lead until a bogey on the 14th and a bunker mishap on the final par‑four dropped her back. "Everyone knows a British player wants to win this tournament," Woad told Sky Sports. "You can feel the crowd’s support, but you also sense their nerves.
I try to ignore the pressure and use the encouragement positively. Patience and discipline are key; par is a good score out here, and I’ve been hitting my approach shots well." Thitikul quickly surrendered her overnight advantage after a bogey on the third hole, while Kuwaki, playing ahead of several groups, launched into a three‑birdie run starting at the fourth.
The world No. 2, however, struggled on the greens throughout her 73‑shot round.
Kuwaki’s round was a roller‑coaster of four birdies and three bogeys, looking set for the outright lead until Ryu answered with three birdies in a four‑hole stretch from the seventh and added another on the par‑four 15th. Ryu sealed her comeback with a 15‑foot birdie putt on the final green, bolstering her bid to become only the fifth player ever to capture three consecutive major titles. Ryu was paired with Korda, who had already claimed the first two majors of the year.
Korda birdied all three par‑fives, climbing five shots from her opening‑round 73 to finish at one under. Also in the group were 2024 champion Lydia Ko, former major winner Celine Boutier, and England’s Mimi Rhodes, each sitting at one under. Meanwhile, Chiara Tamburlini faced a tense wait regarding her Solheim Cup qualification after missing the cut. Team Europe’s eight automatic qualifiers will be announced on Sunday evening, followed by Anna Nordqvist’s captain’s picks on Monday afternoon, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The Swedish veteran, currently eight‑under, will head into the week after a one‑under 70. The AIG Women’s Open continues to generate excitement as fans wonder who will ultimately lift the trophy.
Live coverage will run throughout the weekend on Sky Sports, with additional streaming options available without a contract. Golf enthusiasts can also explore booking a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, ensuring the sport remains accessible beyond the championship.
In summary, the second round showcased a dramatic shift in momentum. Ryu’s resilience turned a shaky start into a commanding lead, while Woad and Hull demonstrated that they remain within striking distance, each battling fatigue and the pressure of a major.
Korda’s steady climb and the ongoing battle for Solheim Cup spots add further layers to the narrative. As the weekend unfolds, the leaderboard will likely see more swings, making the AIG Women’s Open one of the most compelling tournaments of the season.