Lottie Woad and Charley Hull found themselves five strokes shy of the midway leader at the AIG Women's Open, while the surging South Korean star Haeran Ryu surged to the top of the leaderboard with a display of resilience and skill. Ryu, who is eyeing a historic third consecutive major victory—a feat not achieved since Inbee Park—rebounded from a three‑over start after the first five holes to finish a two‑under 69, highlighted by a flurry of five birdies. This impressive round lifted her to seven under par, putting her a single stroke ahead of Japan's Shiho Kuwaki, who had posted a solid 70 to claim the early clubhouse lead. Overnight leader Jeeno Thitikul trailed by another shot, with American Solheim Cup hopeful Yealimi Noh close behind.
Ryu's comeback was a textbook example of mental toughness. After stumbling early, she methodically erased the deficit, stringing together birdies on holes that demanded precise iron play and deft putting.
Her final birdie, a 15‑foot putt on the 18th, capped a round that not only restored her confidence but also reignited the conversation about her potential to become only the fifth player ever to capture three majors in a row. The pressure was palpable, yet she handled it with the calm of a seasoned champion. 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, who admitted she had managed only about three hours of sleep before teeing off, demonstrated why she is considered one of the most consistent performers in women's golf.
The Englishwoman, a five‑time major runner‑up, opened her round strongly, offsetting a bogey on the third hole with birdies on the sixth and eighth. However, mis‑hits on the 10th and 15th allowed the lead to slip away. A spectacular chip‑in birdie on the par‑four 17th revived her hopes and reminded spectators of her capacity to produce moments of brilliance when it matters most. World No.
1 Nelly Korda stayed within striking distance of Ryu after posting an improved 68, which moved her to one under par. Korda, who already secured the first two majors of the season, remains a formidable contender for a third title. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita, on the other hand, endured a disappointing 77 that included a quadruple‑bogey, resulting in a missed cut and an early exit from the tournament.
Hull expressed optimism about the weekend ahead, noting that a better start than last year had settled her nerves. "Really looking forward to it," she said. "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!" Her candid remarks underscored the mental shift she has experienced, turning a night of limited rest into a focused performance. Woad, who started her round in the afternoon, struggled to save par on the second hole but rebounded with three birdies over a four‑hole stretch beginning at the sixth. She hovered within two strokes of the lead until a bogey on the 14th and a bunker mishap on the final par‑four dropped her back.
"I think everyone knows any British player will want to win this event," Woad told Sky Sports. "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, who had held the overnight lead, quickly fell off the pace after a bogey on the third hole. Kuwaki, playing several groups ahead, launched a three‑birdie run starting at the fourth, briefly positioning herself for the outright lead before Ryu's own three‑birdie surge from the seventh through the fifteenth reclaimed the top spot.
Kuwaki's round was a mixed bag of four birdies and three bogeys, illustrating the volatility that can accompany a high‑stakes major. Ryu's final birdie on the 18th, a 15‑foot putt, not only secured her a one‑stroke advantage but also reinforced her bid to join the exclusive club of players who have won three majors consecutively. She shared the course with Korda, who birdied all three par‑fives and posted a five‑shot improvement over her opening‑round 73, highlighting the depth of talent in the field. Other notable competitors included 2024 champion Lydia Ko, former major winner Celine Boutier, and England's Mimi Rhodes, all standing at one under.
Chiara Tamburlini faced a tense wait regarding her Solheim Cup qualification after missing the cut, underscoring the high stakes beyond the tournament itself. Looking ahead, Team Europe will finalize its eight automatic qualifiers on Sunday evening, with Anna Nordqvist set to announce her captain's picks on Monday afternoon during a live Sky Sports broadcast.
The Swedish veteran, who posted a one‑under 70, remains a key figure as Europe prepares for the upcoming Solheim Cup. Fans can continue to follow the drama of the AIG Women's Open through live coverage on Sky Sports, with Saturday's midday session promising further excitement.
For those interested in experiencing the courses themselves, Sky Sports offers streaming options without a contract, and golfers can book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. The tournament not only showcases elite competition but also highlights the vibrant golf culture that thrives throughout the region.