The China Mail - Thitikul leads from history-chasing Ryu at women's British Open

The world number two's opening round is the lowest score ever recorded in the women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Thitikul sank four birdies in five holes between the 4th and the 8th and picked up more shots at 11, 13 and 15 in a bogey-free round.

History-chasing Ryu Hae-ran is looming in a share of second place as the South Korean goes for a third consecutive major.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a whirlwind few weeks, winning the PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota in June before adding the Evian Championship in France earlier this month.

She made a seamless switch to links golf at Royal Lytham & St Annes, on the coast of northwest England, making four birdies in her first seven holes.

After a bogey on the par-four 15th, she recovered to birdie two of the final three holes.

"Before I got the major win it was so much pressure and I just wanted to get a win in a major," said Ryu.

"But these days it's more calm. So that's why these days my golf is pretty good. I feel free."

US world number one Nelly Korda, who was grouped with Ryu and 2024 British Open champion Lydia Ko, finished at two-over par.

Korda, 28, is also seeking her third major of the year after claiming the Chevron Championship and the US Open.

The 2026 season is the first in golf history in which two players, male or female, have won multiple majors.

Only six golfers have won three of the game's biggest prizes in a single year, with South Korea's Park In-bee the most recent in 2013.

Three-time major winner Ko is at level par as she aims to follow in fellow New Zealander Ryan Fox's footsteps after he won the men's British Open earlier this month at Royal Birkdale.

N.Lo--ThChM