Jeongeun "Jeeno" Thitikul surged to the top of the leaderboard after the opening 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, currently ranked second in the world, produced a flawless, bogey‑free 64 at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes, posting seven birdies and establishing a two‑stroke cushion over two‑time major champion Haonan Ryu and Japan's Shiho Kuwaki. Ryu, who carded a five‑under 66, remains in contention as she attempts to become the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to capture three straight majors. Fellow Solheim Cup competitor Celine Boutier also enjoyed a clean round, positioning herself three shots off the lead.
Among the other notable performances, Lottie Woad opened with a tidy two‑under 69, while Hull, a five‑time runner‑up in major championships without a win, produced a mixed bag of six birdies and four bogeys, leaving her five strokes behind the leader. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita fell eight strokes back after a 72, and world No.
1 Nelly Korda struggled with a two‑over 73, facing the prospect of missing back‑to‑back majors. Hull entered the tournament with high expectations, having finished second in the AIG Women's Open for three consecutive years and hoping to become the first Englishwoman to claim a major since 2018. She got off to an ideal start on the first hole, sinking a long‑range birdie on the par‑three. A subsequent three‑putt on the second hole resulted in a bogey, but she quickly recovered by taking advantage of both front‑nine par‑fives.
A missed shot on the eighth was redeemed when she holed a 12‑foot putt on the ninth, posting a solid 34 for the front nine. Hull briefly closed the gap to three strokes after birdieing the 11th hole, a par‑five, and holing a dramatic putt from off the green on the 15th. However, a bogey on the following hole left her level with Woad at two under par. "I was so nervous on that first tee – I was shaking!" Hull told Sky Sports.
"It felt great to open with a birdie. I missed a few putts today, but overall I think I played decently considering how nervous I was." Woad, 22, also had a respectable round, avoiding any major mistakes and finishing two under.
She hit a number of fairways and greens, though she admitted she struggled with putts ranging from 15 to 25 feet, saying, "Good shots around here are 15 to 25 feet from the flag, which aren't the easiest. I hit some nice rolls but just didn't make enough." Thitikul's 64 was the lowest opening round ever recorded at Royal Lytham in the history of the AIG Women's Open. The Thai player, chasing her first major, displayed a complete game from tee to green, delivering a performance that set her apart from the field.
She overtook the early clubhouse target set by Ryu, who had previously won the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship, and had posted six birdies with only one bogey. "I do enjoy it when golf is good," Thitikul said after her round. "It was 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 felt I had a great putter today." The tournament also serves as the final qualifying event for Team Europe’s Solheim Cup squad. 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 have struggled with opening rounds of 75 and 76 respectively. The AIG Women's Open continues to attract global attention, with live coverage on Sky Sports Golf throughout the week.
Early coverage begins Friday at 9 a.m., with full broadcast from 1 p.m. onward. Fans can also stream the action through various platforms without a contract, ensuring easy access to the drama as the field battles for the coveted Claret Jug. Beyond the competition, the event highlights the broader appeal of golf in the UK and Ireland, offering readers the chance to book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the region.
Whether you're a seasoned fan or a newcomer, the AIG Women's Open provides a compelling showcase of skill, perseverance, and the pursuit of golfing glory.