[Photo: Richard Heathcote/R&A]
Haeran Ryu began her bid for a third straight major victory with a fantastic opening round at the AIG Women’s Open, upstaging playing partners Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko.
Coming off victories at the Women’s PGA Championship and Evian Championship, Ryu carded a five-under-par 66 at Royal Lytham & St Annes to share second place behind early leader Jeeno Thitikul (64).
Cassie Porter (70) was the best of the nine Australians in the field during the opening round.
The past month has reflected the highs and lows of life on tour for the Queenslander. After missing the cut at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Porter responded with a tie for 26th at the Amundi Evian Championship – her best finish in a major – before another missed cut at last week’s ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open.
“It’s been quite the journey, actually,” Porter said. “I feel like I learn something new every day, but more I think I just learn something new about myself every week, which is nice.
“It honestly shows all your true colours out here. Shows the highs, lows. It really tests you. “It’s fun, the challenge of that, and just finding a way to get through it. I think that’s my biggest thing I’ve done over the last year or so.”
Meanwhile, Ryu has become the hottest player in golf.
“Yeah, my golf is pretty good,” Ryu said.
You don’t say.
Ryu went out in 31 with four birdies. She bounced back from a bogey at the 15th with birdies at 16 and 18 to sign for a 66.
Seeking her third major in a row, Haeran Ryu has made a fast start to the 2026 AIG Women's Open 👀
Three birdies in her opening six holes see her tied for the lead. pic.twitter.com/2FnYWfd9PH
— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) July 30, 2026
Ryu and Korda have accounted for the first four major wins of 2026 with Korda claiming the Chevron Championship and US Women’s Open.
“Could honestly be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing,” said Ko of Korda and Ryu’s major form.
Playing with Ryu, world No.1 Korda shot 73 and Ko, the 2024 Women’s Open winner, signed for an even-par 71.
Ryu is seeking to become just the fifth player in LPGA history to win three straight majors, and first since Inbee Park in 2013.
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She broke through the major championship barrier at the Women’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine National before the Evian win, where she shot 60, the lowest round in my championship history, en route to beating Brooke Henderson in a playoff.
“Before I got the major win it was so much pressure and I just for sure want to get win in a major,” Ryu said.
Ryu is trying to cash in on the fact she is in a rich vein of form and that there are three LPGA majors in six weeks.
