Lottie Woad and Charley Hull both find themselves five strokes behind the leader at the halfway point of the AIG Women's Open, while the surging Haeran Ryu has vaulted to the top of the leaderboard with a superb round. Ryu, who is eyeing a historic third consecutive major title—a feat not achieved since Inbee Park—rebounded from a three‑over start after the first five holes to finish with a two‑under 69, highlighted by five birdies. This performance lifted her to seven under par, edging past Japan's Shiho Kuwaki, who posted a clubhouse lead of 70 in the second round. Overnight leader Jeeno Thitikul sits just one shot behind, with American Solheim Cup hopeful Yealimi Noh also within striking distance.
Ryu's round was a masterclass in resilience. After a shaky opening stretch that left her three strokes over par, she steadied her game with a string of precise iron shots and accurate putting, culminating in five birdies that turned a potential disaster into a two‑under 69. Her final birdie, a 15‑foot putt on the 18th, sealed a seven‑under total and put her firmly in the driver’s seat as she pursues the rare three‑peat in major championships.
Meanwhile, both Woad and Hull posted level‑par 71s, each card featuring two late‑round bogeys that prevented them from mounting a serious challenge for the outright lead. Hull, a five‑time major runner‑up, managed to erase a bogey on the third hole with birdies on the sixth and eighth, but dropped shots at the 10th and 15th holes cost her momentum. A spectacular chip‑in birdie on the par‑four 17th revived her hopes of finally breaking through at a major, and she left the round two strokes under par, poised to make a push over the weekend. World No.
1 Nelly Korda remains in contention, having improved her second‑round score to 68, which lifted her to one under par and keeps her within reach of Ryu's lead. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita, however, missed the cut after a disappointing 77 that included a quadruple‑bogey, underscoring how unforgiving the Royal Lytham & St Annes course can be. Hull admitted she had only about three hours of sleep before teeing off for her second round.
Despite the fatigue, the Englishwoman displayed her trademark resilience, turning a bogey on the third into birdies on the sixth and eighth. Though she faltered on the 10th and 15th, a dazzling chip‑in on the 17th reignited her confidence, and she expressed optimism about the weekend ahead: "Really looking forward to it.
It's going to be loads of fun. I feel like now my nerves have settled down.
Not too far back going into the weekend – better than I was last year!" Woad, who started her round in the afternoon, missed a crucial up‑and‑down on the second hole but bounced back with three birdies over 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. Speaking to Sky Sports, Woad reflected on the atmosphere: "I think everyone knows any British player will want to win this event.
You can tell the crowd are pulling for you, but you can also sense when they are nervous. I am trying to ignore it as much as possible but use the support as a positive.
Patience and discipline are very good. Par is a pretty good out here, and I think I've been hitting it well approach‑play‑wise." Thitikul quickly surrendered her overnight advantage after a bogey on the third hole, while Kuwaki, playing several groups ahead, surged with a three‑birdie run from the fourth hole. However, the world No. 2 struggled on the greens, ultimately posting a 73 for the round.
Kuwaki mixed four birdies with three bogeys, looking poised for the outright lead until Ryu responded with three birdies over a four‑hole stretch starting at the seventh and added another on the par‑four 15th. Ryu capped her comeback with the 15‑foot birdie on the 18th, reinforcing her bid to become only the fifth player in history to capture three consecutive major titles. Ryu was paired with Korda, who has already claimed the first two majors of the season. Korda birdied all three par‑fives in her round, improving her total by five strokes from an opening‑round 73 to a solid 68, keeping her firmly in the mix.
Other notable players in the group include 2024 champion Lydia Ko, former major winner Celine Boutier, and England's Mimi Rhodes, all sitting at one under par. Chiara Tamburlini faces a tense wait regarding her Solheim Cup qualification after missing the cut. Team Europe’s eight automatic qualifiers for the Solheim Cup will be confirmed on Sunday evening, with Anna Nordqvist set to announce her captain’s picks on Monday afternoon live on Sky Sports.
The Swedish veteran, currently eight shots back after a one‑under 70, will be watching closely as the competition unfolds. Fans can follow the AIG Women's Open live on Sky Sports throughout the weekend, with coverage continuing Saturday from midday on Sky Sports Golf. For those without a contract, streaming options are available without commitment. Golf enthusiasts are also encouraged to explore booking a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, using the provided search tool to find the perfect venue.
Overall, the tournament has delivered a dramatic narrative: Ryu’s inspiring resurgence, the steady pressure from Hull and Woad, and the ever‑present threat from Korda and other seasoned competitors. As the weekend approaches, the chase for the coveted Claret Jug intensifies, promising more thrilling golf and the possibility of historic milestones for the players involved.