Ryu Leads Women's Open, Eyes Historic Third Major of 2026

What a round we witnessed at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Friday. South Korea's Haeran Ryu showed exactly why she's the most dangerous player in women's golf right now, bouncing back from a brutal start to grab the outright lead at the AIG Women's Open.

Ryu's Remarkable Recovery

Look, when you're three over through five holes at a major championship, most players start thinking about damage control. Not Ryu. The 25-year-old simply refused to let her round slip away, firing five birdies the rest of the way to post a two-under-par 69.

That closing birdie on 18? Absolute ice in her veins.

"The last hole is so important as it is always good for tomorrow, I always want to make a good score on the last hole," Ryu told BBC Sport after her round. "I've had two birdies on it, which is a good thing."

Combined with her opening 66, Ryu sits at seven under par, one shot clear of Japan's Shiho Kuwaki heading into the weekend.

The Historic Stakes

Here's where this gets really interesting for those of us who love witnessing history. Ryu claimed her second major just weeks ago at the Evian Championship, coming on the heels of her first major victory. If she finishes the job at Royal Lytham, she'll become only the fifth woman in history to capture three majors in a single calendar year.

That's rarefied air we're talking about. And based on what we've seen from her major form lately, I wouldn't bet against her.

Thitikul Stumbles, Kuwaki Capitalizes

Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul held the overnight lead after a spectacular seven-under 64 on Thursday, but Friday was a different story entirely. The world number two struggled to a two-over 73, dropping her back to five under par.

Kuwaki, meanwhile, quietly went about her business with a steady one-under round to climb into solo second at six under. Japan's Shiho Kuwaki has positioned herself perfectly for a weekend charge.

American Yealimi Noh joins Thitikul on five under after posting a solid 70.

England's Hopes Still Alive

The home crowd has plenty to cheer about heading into Saturday. Lottie Woad, who arrived as one of the pre-tournament favorites, sits at two under par despite a frustrating finish to her second round.

The 22-year-old's bogey-free 69 on Thursday set up high expectations, but two dropped shots on the back nine—including one at 17—left her five shots back of Ryu. Still, she's well within striking distance if the leaders falter.

Charley Hull also sits at two under after an even-par round, keeping her major championship dreams alive. Hull has been knocking on the door at majors for years now, and Royal Lytham could finally be her moment.

Big Names Lurking

Don't sleep on the players sitting at one under par. World number one Nelly Korda bounced back in a big way, shooting 68 to recover from an opening-round 73. Three-time major champion Lydia Ko is also at one under, and we all know what she's capable of when the pressure intensifies.

England's Mimi Rhodes showed tremendous resilience, recovering from two early bogeys to card three birdies and keep herself in the hunt.

Weekend Outlook

The leaderboard is stacked, but make no mistake—this is Ryu's tournament to lose right now. Her composure under pressure, her recent major pedigree, and that ability to respond to adversity all point to a player who knows exactly what she's doing.

Can anyone catch her? Absolutely. Royal Lytham has a way of humbling even the best players in the world. But if Ryu keeps showing this kind of mental fortitude, we might be watching history unfold on the Lancashire coast this weekend.

Key Takeaways

Ryu leads at -7, one clear of Kuwaki at -6
Thitikul falls back after Thursday's 64, now tied at -5
England's Woad and Hull both at -2, five back
Korda and Ko lurking at -1, ready for weekend moves
Ryu bidding to become fifth woman with three majors in a calendar year