South Korea's Haeran Ryu birdied the 18th to recover from a poor start and finish the second round as the leader of the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The 25-year-old, ranked third in the world, is aiming to become only the fifth woman in history to win three majors in a calendar year and holds a one-shot lead over Japan's Shiho Kuwaki.
How did Ryu take the lead?
Ryu bounced back after going three over for the day through five holes, then made five birdies to shoot two under par and build on her opening-round 66. Her late birdie at the 18th helped her end the day at the top of the leaderboard.
"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 .
"I've had two birdies on it, which is a good thing.
"I just stayed patient after that [the tough start] and I made some birdies to finish under par. I am so happy now."
Earlier this month, Ryu won her second major in the space of two weeks at the Evian Championship, and her major form has continued at the Open.
Who is closest to Ryu on the leaderboard?
Kuwaki, who finished Thursday two shots behind leader Jeeno Thitikul, carded a one-under-par round to move into second place after Thitikul dropped back. Following a spectacular seven-under-par 64, Thailand's Thitikul shot a two-over-par 73.
American Yealimi Noh joins world number two Thitikul on five under par after shooting 70.
The leaderboard after two rounds shows Ryu on seven under par, Kuwaki on six under, Noh and Thitikul on five under, South Korea's S Joo on three under, and England's Lottie Woad, Charley Hull, Thailand's C Wannasaen, Americans L Li, J Yan and L Coughlin, Spain's P Martin and Japan's M Katsu on two under.
Selected others are New Zealand's L Ko and England's M Rhodes on one under, while England's A Hewson is on two over, England's G Hall on six over and Japan's M Yamashita on seven over.
Which other players remain in contention?
England's Lottie Woad remains in a strong position to compete for a first major title despite a disappointing end to her second round. The 22-year-old, who arrived as one of the favourites, finished the day on two under par after an opening-round 69 and a second-round 71.
Woad's second round included three birdies on the front nine, but two dropped shots on the back nine, including one on 17, left her five shots off the pace.
England's Charley Hull went round in even par to remain on two under par, while world number one Nelly Korda shot 68 to recover from an opening-round two-over-par 73.
Three-time major champion Lydia Ko is also well placed to make a move from one under par, as is England's Mimi Rhodes, who recovered from two early bogeys to sink three birdies.
Key Facts
- Haeran Ryu leads the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes on seven under par after two rounds.
- Ryu is one shot clear of Japan's Shiho Kuwaki and is chasing a third major title in the same calendar year.
- Jeeno Thitikul followed a seven-under 64 with a two-over 73 and is tied on five under with Yealimi Noh.
- Lottie Woad, Charley Hull and several others remain in contention on two under par.
- Ryu won the Evian Championship earlier this month, her second major in two weeks.
