Jeongee (Jeeno) Thitikul surged to the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the AIG Women's Open, while Charley Hull posted a more uneven opening round in her quest for a long‑awaited major title. Thitikul delivered 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, who carded a five‑under 66, is eyeing a historic three‑peat, a feat not achieved since Inbee Park in 2013. Fellow Solheim Cup participant Celine Boutier also enjoyed a clean round, positioning herself three shots back. Lottie Woad opened her campaign without a single mistake, posting a tidy two‑under 69.
Hull, a five‑time runner‑up in major championships yet to secure a victory, combined six birdies with four bogeys, leaving her five strokes off the lead after a roller‑coaster first day. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita fell eight strokes behind after a 72, and world No. 1 Nelly Korda faced the prospect of missing back‑to‑back majors after a two‑over 73.
Hull, who has finished second in the AIG Women's Open three times in the past four years, began with a spectacular long‑range birdie on the par‑three first hole. She stumbled on the next hole with a three‑putt that resulted in a bogey, but recovered by taking advantage of both front‑nine par‑fives.
A missed shot on the eighth was quickly erased when she holed a 12‑foot putt on the ninth, bringing her back to even par at 34. Later, Hull briefly closed to within three of the lead by birdieing the 11th, a par‑five, and sinking a dramatic putt from off the 15th‑green. However, a subsequent bogey left her sharing second‑place with Woad at two under.
"I was so nervous on that first tee – I was shaking!" Hull told Sky Sports. "It felt great to start with a birdie.
I missed a few putts today, but I think I played decently considering how nervous I was." Woad, the 22‑year‑old Englishwoman, also enjoyed a clean start, though a tricky lip‑out on the par‑five sixth forced her to settle for a birdie rather than an eagle. She later birdied the par‑three 12th from distance, creating several opportunities to inch closer to Thitikul's lead. "I hit a lot of fairways and found many greens, but I didn't convert enough putts," Woad admitted.
"Good chances around here are 15 to 25 feet from the flag – not easy. I got some nice rolls but just didn’t finish them." Thitikul's 64 marked the lowest opening round ever recorded at Royal Lytham in the history of the AIG Women's Open.
The Thai prodigy, still seeking her first major, displayed a masterclass from tee to green, out‑scoring the early clubhouse target set by Ryu. Ryu, fresh from victories at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship, posted a solid six‑birdie, one‑bogey round that kept her within striking distance.
"I do enjoy it when golf is good," Thitikul said after her round. "It was nice to know I was hitting solid shots. I got a lucky bounce out of the pot bunker, and when things go your way, they really go your way.
I also felt confident with my putter today." The tournament also serves as the final qualifier for Team Europe’s Solheim Cup squad. Eight automatic qualifiers will be confirmed on Sunday, followed by captain Anna Nordqvist’s four picks on Monday. Currently, Chiara Tamburlini holds a slim advantage over Helen Briem for the second Solheim Cup spot via the Ladies European Tour rankings, though both posted modest opening rounds of 75 and 76 respectively.
Broadcast coverage continues throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf, with early action starting Friday at 9 a.m. and full coverage from 1 p.m. Viewers can also stream the event without a contract via Sky Sports' streaming platform. Golf enthusiasts are encouraged to explore discounted rates and book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, ensuring a chance to experience world‑class facilities while following the championship.
Overall, the first day set the stage for a thrilling contest. Thitikul’s flawless performance places her in a strong position, but the field remains deep, with seasoned veterans like Hull and rising talents such as Woad poised to make moves. As the tournament progresses, the battle for the coveted Claret Jug will intensify, promising dramatic swings, strategic brilliance, and the ever‑present possibility of a breakthrough major victory for one of golf’s brightest stars.