Hae Ran Ryu takes halfway lead at AIG Women’s Open in pursuit of historic Major hat-trick
South Korean star overcomes early double-bogey to shoot 69 and hold one-stroke advantage at Royal Lytham & St Annes
Lancashire, England - World No. 3 Hae Ran Ryu bounced back from a difficult start on Friday to sign for a second-round two-under-par 69, taking the sole lead at 7-under 135 halfway through the 2026 AIG Women’s Open.
The 25-year-old, who captured both the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship earlier this summer, sits one stroke ahead of Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki (6-under 136). American Yealimi Noh and World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul share third place at 5-under par. Should Ryu hold her position over the weekend at Royal Lytham & St Annes, she will become the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to win three LPGA Major titles in a single season.
Ryu faced early trouble after starting her round in the afternoon wind, dropping a shot on the 3rd hole before conceding a double-bogey on the par-3 5th. Undeterred, she launched a back-nine surge, making birdies at the 7th, 9th, and 10th. She then holed a 50-foot birdie putt on the par-4 15th—statistically the toughest hole on the course—and capped her day with a 10-foot birdie on the 18th.
“Playing in the afternoon made it tough with the heavy wind, but as conditions calmed down later in the day, I was able to capitalize on a few opportunities,” Ryu reflected after her round. “I have been playing golf for over 15 years, and it took a long time to feel comfortable at the top of the leaderboard. These days, I don’t worry about what others are doing; I just focus on my own game and try to enjoy it.”
World No. 1 Nelly Korda, playing alongside Ryu for the second straight day, rebounded from a opening 73 with a 3-under 68. Korda, who matched Ryu’s Major count this year with victories at the Chevron Championship and U.S. Women’s Open, stands at 1-under par in a tie for 14th, six strokes off the lead.
“My ball-striking was noticeably better today, though I’m still relying heavily on my caddie to help read these greens,” said Korda.
A total of 68 players made the 36-hole cut set at 4-over 146, including 11 South Koreans. Among them, 18-year-old amateur Yunseo Yang safely advanced at 4-over par. Notable players to miss the weekend field included Jiyai Shin, Yena Yoon, and defending champion Miyu Yamashita, who dropped out of contention following a 78 that included a quadruple-bogey on the 18th hole.