Ryu leads Open in pursuit of third straight major
Haeran Ryu maintains her momentum at the AIG Women's Open, finishing the second round at Royal Lytham & St Annes as the tournament leader. The 25-year-old South Korean golfer carded a two-under-par round to reach seven-under overall, putting her one shot ahead of Japan's Shiho Kuwaki. Ryu is currently chasing a significant piece of history, as she aims to become just the fifth woman to secure three major championships within a single calendar year.
The path to the lead was not straightforward for Ryu. After beginning the round three over par through her first five holes, she remained composed and sank five birdies to recover her position. Her finish on the 18th hole was particularly effective, mirroring the strong performance she displayed on that same hole during her opening round. This consistency under pressure serves her well as she heads into the weekend.
Elsewhere on the leaderboard, the competition remains fierce. Shiho Kuwaki sits at six-under-par, while Yealimi Noh and Jeeno Thitikul follow at five-under. Thitikul, who held the lead after a dominant 64 on Thursday, struggled with the shifting winds and dropped shots during her second round. Despite these changes in fortune, she remains well within striking distance of the frontrunners.
English contenders are also positioning themselves for a weekend surge. Lottie Woad and Charley Hull are both tied at two-under-par. Hull, who has finished runner-up in five majors throughout her career, continues to show stability despite managing some physical discomfort. Both players retain a path to the title if they can capitalize on their opportunities over the final two days of play.
World number one Nelly Korda successfully rebounded from an opening-round 73 by shooting a 68 on Friday. With 36 holes remaining, Korda stays in the mix as she seeks to add another major to her collection. The unpredictable nature of links golf at Royal Lytham & St Annes ensures that the leaderboard remains subject to change as the field heads into the final two rounds of the competition.