Hae Ran Ryu opens with 66 at Royal Lytham & St Annes in pursuit of historic Major hat-trick
Two-time Major winner trails early leader Jeeno Thitikul by two strokes as she bids to join Babe Zaharias and Inbee Park in golfing lore
Lancashire, England - South Korea’s Hae Ran Ryu made a strong opening statement in her bid for a historic third consecutive Major victory, firing a five-under-par 66 in the opening round of the 2026 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The 25-year-old sits in a tie for second place alongside Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki, two strokes behind early leader Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, who set the pace with a course-record seven-under 64.
Having already captured both the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship this season, Ryu arrives in Lancashire on the brink of history. Should she lift the trophy this week, she will become only the third player in women’s golf history to win three LPGA Major titles in a single season, joining Babe Zaharias (1950) and Inbee Park (2013). Her strategic decision to skip last week’s ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open to focus exclusively on Royal Lytham paid immediate dividends on day one.
Ryu ignited her round with a birdie on the par-3 1st and quickly built momentum with a cluster of gains on the 4th, 6th, and 7th holes to turn in four-under 32. After a minor setback with a bogey on the 15th, she responded immediately with a birdie on the 16th before closing her day in style with a final birdie on the par-4 18th.
Despite her sterling score, Ryu acknowledged the stern test presented by Royal Lytham’s penal pot bunkers. “I didn’t hit driver very often because there are just so many bunkers out here. To be honest, it was really tough,” Ryu admitted after her round. “Even when you hit a good shot on a links course, the fairways are firm and undulating, so the ball can still roll into a bunker. I found myself thinking, ‘Why is my ball over there?’ quite a few times today.” To navigate the hazards, Ryu relied heavily on precise course strategy and frequent consults with her yardage book, adding: “Going forward, I’ll continue trying to play calmly and solidly.”
Among other Korean contenders, 18-year-old amateur Yunseo Yang made an impressive Major debut, carding a one-under-par 70 to sit tied for 17th alongside Jin Hee Im and Subin Joo. Meanwhile, World No. 1 Nelly Korda—who split the season’s first four Majors with Ryu by winning the Chevron Championship and U.S. Women’s Open—struggled to a two-over 73, leaving her tied for 53rd heading into Friday’s second round.