Haeran Ryu Shoots 69 to Lead Women's British Open by One Stroke

South Korean star Haeran Ryu reached 7-under overall at Royal Lytham & St. Annes to secure a one-shot lead at the Women's British Open.

Haeran Ryu birdied the 18th hole on Friday to post a 2-under 69, moving to 7-under par overall for a one-stroke lead at the Women's British Open. The South Korean golfer is chasing her third consecutive major title at Royal Lytham & St. Annes after previously winning the Women's PGA at Hazeltine and the Evian Championship. Ryu overcame a double bogey on the par-3 5th hole by recording five birdies during her second round. She currently holds a narrow advantage over Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki, who sits in second place at 6-under following a round of 70.

Jeeno Thitikul and Yealimi Noh are tied for third place, trailing the lead by two strokes at 5-under par. Thitikul, the overnight leader who began the day with a two-shot cushion, struggled to a 1-over 73 that included three bogeys. Despite her opening-round 64, the Thai star did not secure a birdie on Friday until the par-3 12th, where she converted a 6-foot putt. Noh remained in contention by carding a 70, recovering from a double bogey on the par-4 4th with consecutive birdies on the following holes.

Leaderboard Shifts at Royal Lytham & St. Annes

Shiho Kuwaki briefly held the lead after a birdie on the 16th hole, which followed a sequence where she recorded three straight birdies early in her round. However, Kuwaki’s scorecard was balanced by bogeys, including a dropped shot on the 15th. Thitikul’s slide began on the par-5 11th when a par putt failed to drop, resulting in her second bogey of the afternoon. The former world No. 1 later misjudged a birdie attempt on the 14th and missed a 4-foot comeback putt to record a three-putt bogey.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda remains in the hunt, sitting six shots back of Ryu after firing a 4-under 68 on Friday. Korda and Ryu have dominated the current major season, splitting the first four titles between them. Korda claimed the first two majors of the year before Ryu captured the subsequent two. Thitikul remains one of only two players to reach the top of the world rankings without a major victory to her name.

Ryu Targets Historic Major Hat Trick

No player has won three consecutive majors in a single season since Inbee Park accomplished the feat in 2013. Ryu entered this week with momentum after closing the Evian Championship with a round of 60. Reflecting on the difficult conditions in England, Ryu noted the stress of navigating numerous bunkers and significant wind. "I'm just trying to have fun on the course because this course is stressful," Ryu stated, emphasizing her desire to focus solely on her own game given the depth of the field.

Thitikul expressed frustration after her round, specifically citing a difficult sequence where she three-putted the 14th and landed in a bunker on the 15th. She managed to save par on the 15th with a long putt to limit the damage. The Thai golfer attributed her high score to difficult pin positions and an inability to hit approach shots as close to the hole as she did during her bogey-free Thursday performance. As the tournament heads into the weekend, Ryu remains the player to beat as she attempts to maintain her 7-under total through 36 holes.