Lottie Woad and Charley Hull find themselves five strokes behind the mid‑tournament leader at the AIG Women’s Open, while the surging Haeran Ryu has vaulted to the top of the leaderboard. Both English contenders are still within striking distance, but Ryu’s strong play threatens to widen the gap. Ryu, who is eyeing a historic third consecutive major title—a feat not achieved since Inbee Park—rebounded from a shaky start that saw her three over par after the first five holes.
She turned the round around with a flurry of birdies, posting a two‑under 69 at the storied Royal Lytham & St Annes. That performance lifted her to seven under overall, edging Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki by a single stroke.
Kuwaki had briefly held the clubhouse lead after a solid second‑round 70, while overnight leader Jeeno Thitikul and American Solheim Cup hopeful Yealimi Noh trailed by one shot each. Woad appeared poised to challenge for the outright lead, but a late‑round stumble cost her dearly.
She finished with a level‑par 71, dropping two bogeys in the final five holes. Hull matched that score, also carding a 71 after a mixed round that left her two under after 36 holes. Both players remain in contention, but the pressure is mounting as they head into the weekend. World No.
1 Nelly Korda stays in the mix, having improved her standing with a second‑round 68 that moved her to one under. She is still within reach of Ryu’s lead and hopes to add a third major win to her season’s tally. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita, however, missed the cut after a disappointing 77 that included a quadruple‑bogey, ending her bid to repeat.
Hull admitted she had only about three hours of sleep before her second round, yet the five‑time major runner‑up managed to make an early surge. She erased a bogey on the third hole with birdies on the sixth and eighth, demonstrating resilience.
Mistakes on the 10th and 15th holes caused her to slip back, but a spectacular chip‑in birdie on the par‑four 17th rekindled hopes of finally breaking through for a major victory. When asked about her weekend outlook, Hull said, “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s going to be loads of fun. I feel like my nerves have settled now.
I’m not too far back heading into the weekend—better than I was last year!” Her optimism reflects a growing confidence after a season of near‑misses. Woad, who started her round in the afternoon, missed a crucial up‑and‑down to save par on the second hole but then rattled off 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, she noted, “Everyone knows any British player will want to win this event.
You can feel the crowd’s support, but you can also sense their nerves. I try to ignore it and use the energy 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—sparked a three‑birdie run starting at the fourth.
The world No. 2, however, struggled with her putting throughout a round that ultimately carded a 73. Kuwaki’s round was a roller‑coaster of four birdies and three bogeys, and she seemed on the cusp of taking the outright lead until Ryu surged ahead with three birdies over a four‑hole stretch beginning at the seventh, adding another on the par‑four 15th. Ryu sealed her impressive comeback with a 15‑foot birdie putt on the final hole, reinforcing her bid to become only the fifth player in history to capture three straight major titles.
She played alongside Korda, who has already secured the first two majors of the year. Korda birdied all three par‑fives, improving her score by five strokes from an opening‑round 73.
Other notable names in the field include 2024 champion Lydia Ko, former major winner Celine Boutier, and England’s Mimi Rhodes, all sitting at one under after two rounds. Chiara Tamburlini faces a tense wait regarding her Solheim Cup qualification after missing the cut.
Team Europe’s eight automatic qualifiers will be announced on Sunday evening, with Swedish veteran Anna Nordqvist set to reveal her captain’s picks on Monday afternoon during a live Sky Sports broadcast. Nordqvist herself posted a one‑under 70, positioning herself well heading into the final stages of selection.
The AIG Women’s Open continues to captivate fans, with live coverage available on Sky Sports throughout the weekend. Viewers can tune in on Saturday from midday for the next round, and the tournament will be streamed without a contract requirement for those who prefer online viewing. Golf enthusiasts are also encouraged to explore booking options at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, ensuring they can experience the sport firsthand after following the drama on the major stage.
Overall, the tournament is shaping up to be a tightly contested battle. Ryu’s resurgence, Korda’s steady climb, and the determined pushes from Woad and Hull create a compelling narrative that promises excitement through the final round. Whether a new champion will emerge or a seasoned star will cement her legacy remains to be seen, but the competition’s intensity suggests a thrilling conclusion is on the horizon.