Haeran Ryu takes halfway lead at AIG Women's Open ahead of British pair
South Korea's Haeran Ryu holds the halfway lead at the AIG Women's Open, leaving English pair Charley Hull and Lottie Woad with a significant deficit to overcome if they are to deliver a home victory at Royal Lytham.
Haeran Ryu posted a two-under 69 to take a one-shot lead at seven under par halfway through the AIG Women's Open. The world number three recovered from three over after five holes, capping her round with a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Ryu is chasing a third consecutive major title, a feat last achieved by Inbee Park, which would make her just the fifth player in history to accomplish it. Her position at the top of the leaderboard leaves the European challenge five strokes adrift, with English golfers Charley Hull and Lottie Woad heading into the weekend tied on two under.
Woad appeared poised to challenge the outright lead before dropping shots at the 14th and the final hole to card a level-par 71. Hull matched that score, overcoming a sleep-deprived night to keep her hopes alive. The five-time major runner-up cancelled out early dropped shots with a brilliant chip-in birdie at the 17th.
"Not too far back going into the weekend - better than I was last year!" Hull said. Woad noted that "everyone knows any British player will want to win this event," but warned that "you can also sense when they are nervous." "Par is a pretty good out here, and I think I've been hitting it well approach-play-wise," Woad added.
Solheim Cup qualification at stake
The tournament carries wider significance for European women's golf beyond the individual major title. Chiara Tamburlini missed the cut, leaving her facing an anxious wait to see if she secures one of Team Europe's eight automatic qualifying spots for the Solheim Cup.
Those eight automatic qualifiers will be confirmed on Sunday evening before captain Anna Nordqvist names her wildcard picks on Monday. Nordqvist herself is competing at Royal Lytham but sits eight shots off the lead after a one-under 70. Fellow European contenders Lydia Ko, Celine Boutier and England's Mimi Rhodes remain in the mix at one under.
Japan's Shiho Kuwaki holds second place at six under after a 70, while overnight leader Jeeno Thitikul dropped into a tie for third alongside American Yealimi Noh. World number one Nelly Korda improved to one under with a 68 to stay in contention. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita missed the cut after finishing her round with a quadruple-bogey.
