Haeran Ryu posted a 5-under 66 in first round of the 2026 AIG Women's Open, putting herself within striking distance of history at Royal Lytham & St. Annes golf course. After Day 1 scores, the 25-year-old sits second on the LPGA leaderboard, two shots behind Jeeno Thitikul's 7-under 64.
Her latest performance is even more impressive given that just six weeks ago, Ryu had zero major titles. Then she won the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Two weeks later, she took the Amundi Evian Championship.
Now she's chasing a third straight, something only four players in LPGA history have done, most recently Inbee Park in 2013.
Haeran Ryu Nears Top of LPGA Leaderboard After AIG Women's Open Day 1
That confidence showed in Thursday's results. Ryu rolled in four birdies across her first seven holes and turned at 4-under. A bogey at the par-4 15th was her only stumble. She recovered immediately, birdieing 16 and closing with another on 18.
"Before I got the major win it was so much pressure," Ryu said. "But these days it's more calm… These days my golf is pretty good."
Her LPGA scores this season back that up, with eight Top 10 finishes in 12 starts, including two major wins. Group partner Nelly Korda, who won the year's first two majors, struggled to a 2-over 73 to finish tied for 53rd.
With Round 2 well underway, the LPGA leaderboard has already shifted. Ryu is now 3-over through five holes, dropping to T6 at 2-under overall. Shiho Kuwaki leads at 6-under, while Thitikul slipped to T2 after a second-round 73.
