Charley Hull and Lottie Woad are leading British contenders after the opening round of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Hull, 30, from Kettering, reached three under par briefly after a chip-in from off the green on the 15th hole. However, a misstep into the front bunker on the 16th saw her drop back to two under. Demonstrating resilience, Hull managed to save par on the final hole by holing a crucial putt from a greenside bunker, finishing the day with a score of 69.

Woad, 22, from Surrey, delivered a bogey-free round, also carding two under par with notable moments including a birdie on the par-five sixth and an impressive two-putt from distance on the 12th. She narrowly missed an eagle earlier on the sixth when her putt circled the hole but did not drop. Commenting on the course’s challenge, Woad noted the scarcity of birdie opportunities and emphasized the importance of playing the par fives aggressively. The young golfer also highlighted the enthusiastic crowd support during the early tee times.

In contrast, some of the field’s previous major winners struggled to gain momentum. Nelly Korda, who secured the first two major victories of 2026, encountered difficulties, recording four bogeys and finishing with a 73. Georgia Hall’s round was marked by a lack of birdies, concluding with a five-over 76.

Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul leads after an impressive seven-under-par 64, achieving seven birdies without any bogeys. At 23, Thitikul remains in search of her first major title. Close behind is South Korean player Ryu Hae-ran, who carded a five-under 66. The 25-year-old is aiming for a third consecutive major win, having recently captured the Women’s PGA and the Evian Championship. Ryu attributed her strong start to improved calmness and enjoyment on the course, which she feels has positively influenced her performance.

The tournament’s first round set a competitive stage, with solid performances from both emerging talents and established players as the contenders prepare for the subsequent rounds.