Jeeno Thitikul chases first major win, opens British Open with 64

Jeeno Thitikul moved to the top of the leaderboard at the Women's British Open on Thursday. She finished her opening round at Royal Lytham & St. Annes with a 7-under 64. This performance puts her two shots ahead of the field as she pursues her first major championship title. Thitikul remained consistent throughout the day, carding three consecutive birdies during the early portion of her round while avoiding bogeys across all eighteen holes.

Despite her success, Thitikul has yet to secure a major win in her professional career. She currently holds the distinction of being one of only two players to reach world number one without a major trophy. The field remains competitive, with Haeran Ryu and Shiho Kuwaki trailing by two strokes. Ryu has been a dominant force in this year's major cycle, having claimed recent victories at the Women's PGA and the Evian Championship.

Other notable players are also positioned near the top. Celine Boutier and Yealimi Noh sit three shots back after recording rounds of 67. Local favorite Charley Hull also started with a solid 69, staying in contention despite acknowledging the high pressure of playing in her home country. The tournament continues as competitors navigate the challenging conditions of the Lancashire links course.

Thitikul emphasized that her approach remains focused on internal execution rather than external expectations. She noted that winning a major is not something she can force, so she prioritizes beating the course one hole at a time. This strategy served her well during the first round as she successfully navigated the course's notorious pot bunkers. With three rounds remaining, the leaderboard remains fluid and the competition for the title is expected to intensify.