Jeongeun "Jeeno" Thitikul surged to the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the AIG Women's Open, while England's Charley Hull and Lottie Woad both produced uneven performances in their quest for a long‑awaited major title. Thitikul delivered an immaculate, bogey‑free 64 at Royal Lytham & St Annes, carding seven birdies and earning a two‑stroke cushion over two‑time major champion Haerin Ryu and Japan's Shiho Kuwaki. The Thai, currently ranked world No. 2, demonstrated why she is considered one of the sport's brightest prospects, combining precise iron play with a confident putting stroke that left no room for mistakes.
Ryu, who posted a solid five‑under 66, remains in contention as she aims to become the first golfer since Inbee Park in 2013 to capture three consecutive majors. Solheim Cup stalwart Céline Boutier also enjoyed a clean start, staying within three shots of the lead after a bogey‑free round. Lottie Woad, the 22‑year‑old English rookie, opened with a flawless two‑under 69, positioning herself just five shots off the top spot. Hull, a five‑time runner‑up in major championships but still searching for that elusive victory, posted a more volatile six‑birdie, four‑bogey 71, also five strokes behind Thitikul.
Defending champion Miyu Yamashita fell eight strokes back after an opening‑round 72, while world No. 1 Nelly Korda struggled with a two‑over 73 and now faces 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. She opened perfectly, sinking a long‑range birdie on the par‑three first hole.
A mis‑step on the second hole led to a three‑putt and a bogey on the fourth, but she recovered by capitalising on both front‑nine par‑fives, ultimately posting a respectable 34 on the first nine. Later, Hull briefly closed the gap to three shots after a birdie on the 11th and a dramatic putt from well off the 15th green, only to drop a bogey on the following hole, leaving her tied with Woad at two under. "I was so nervous on that first tee – I was shaking!" Hull admitted to Sky Sports. "Getting that early birdie helped calm me down.
I missed a few putts, but overall I think I played decently considering how jittery I felt." Woad's round was highlighted by a long‑range birdie on the 12th and a clutch putt on the 8th that saved par after a wayward approach. She reflected on her performance, saying, "I hit a lot of fairways and found many greens, but I didn't convert enough putts. The good shots were usually 15 to 25 feet from the flag – not easy, but I managed some solid rolls." Thitikul's 64 set a new benchmark for the lowest opening round ever recorded at Royal Lytham in the history of the AIG Women's Open.
The Thai, chasing her first major title, displayed a seamless blend of power and finesse, from tee to green. She overtook Ryu's early clubhouse lead, who had previously won the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship, by mixing six birdies with a single bogey.
"I do enjoy it when golf is good," Thitikul said after her round. "It was great to know I was hitting good shots. I even got a lucky bounce out of the pot bunker, and my putter was feeling very confident today." The tournament also serves as the final opportunity for players to secure automatic spots on Team Europe’s Solheim Cup roster. Eight automatic qualifiers will be confirmed on Sunday, after which captain Annika Söderberg will announce her four captain's picks on Monday.
On the Ladies European Tour rankings, Chiara Tamburlini currently holds a slim advantage over Helen Briem for the second qualifying position, though both struggled with 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' online platform. For those interested in playing the courses featured in the Open, more than 1,700 venues across the UK and Ireland are available for booking. Simply enter a course name, city, or postcode to find the best rates and secure a tee time.
The AIG Women's Open remains wide open, with several contenders poised to make a move. Whether it will be Thitikul extending her lead, Hull finally breaking her major runner‑up streak, or a surprise surge from a newcomer like Woad, the drama promises to unfold over the coming days.