Haeran Ryu takes a 1-shot lead
after 2 rounds of the British Women’s Open
[August 01, 2026]
LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England (AP) — Haeran Ryu birdied No. 18 to
complete a 2-under 69 for a one-shot lead after two rounds of the
British Women’s Open on Friday as the South Korean star pursues a
third consecutive major victory.
Ryu overcame a tough start — including a double bogey on the par-3
5th — to tally five birdies and reach 7 under overall at Royal
Lytham & St. Annes.
Shiho Kuwaki of Japan was one shot back after her 70, and overnight
leader Jeeno Thitikul and Yealimi Noh were tied for third, both two
strokes behind Ryu.
“I'm just trying to have fun on the course because this course is
(very) stressful,” Ryu said, citing “a lot of bunkers” plus windy
conditions.
Not since Inbee Park in 2013 has anyone claimed three straight
majors. Ryu won the Women’s PGA at Hazeltine and closed with 60 to
win the Evian Championship.
“(There are) a lot of great players in here, so that’s why I just
want to think about my golf,” she added. “Because this is a major,
nobody knows what comes up.”
Thitikul, still in pursuit of her first victory at a major, brought
a two-stroke lead over Kuwaki and Ryu into day two but made three
bogeys in her 73.
“I’m not hitting like as close to the pin as yesterday,” Thitikul
said. “Maybe the pin position was kind of hard, too.”
Kuwaki led after her birdie on 16 and following Thitikul’s second
bogey of the day — on the par-5 11th when the Thai star’s putt for
par didn’t drop.
Noh bounced back from a double bogey on the par-4 No. 4 with
back-to-back birdies in her 70.
Thitikul, one of only two players to have been No. 1 in the women’s
world ranking without ever having won a major, had a bogey-free 64
in the first round but didn't give herself a good birdie opportunity
Friday until the par-3 12th, where she rolled in from six feet to
regain a share of the lead at the time on 6 under overall.
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Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, lines up a putt on the 2nd green during
the second round of the Women's British Open golf championship in
Lytham St Annes, England, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon
Super)
With Kuwaki in the clubhouse, Thitikul then fell a
shot back on the 14th when she misjudged a birdie putt before
missing from four feet on her second putt, ending with her third
bogey. Thitikul limited the damage, though, on the 15th when she
saved par with a long putt.
“I definitely ... get frustrated sometimes,” Thitikul said. “I get
really frustrated when I three-putt on 14 and then I end up on like
the bunker on 15. I was like so frustrated out there.”
Thitikul has been overlooked during the LPGA major season dominated
by Ryu and Nelly Korda, who have split the four majors. Korda, who
replaced Thitikul at No. 1 in April, won the first two majors and
Ryu won the next two.
Kuwaki had three straight birdies early in her round but sandwiched
them with bogeys. She dropped another shot on the 15th.
Korda trails by six shots after her 68 on Friday.
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