Yoo Hae-ran (25, Daol Financial Group) is making a bid for her third consecutive major title in a single Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour season. She finished the first day of the AIG Women’s Open (total purse 10 million USD) tied for second place.
On Thursday, Yoo carded a 5-under 66 in the opening round at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club (par 71) in Lancashire, England, recording six birdies and one bogey.
Yoo shares second place with Shiho Kuwaki of Japan, trailing leader Jeeno Thitikul by two strokes after Thitikul fired a 7-under 64.
Having already clinched victories at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Evian Championship, Yoo is now gunning for the AIG Women’s Open title in the season’s final major.
Winning three consecutive majors in a single season is a rare feat, achieved only by Babe Zaharias (USA) in 1950 and Inbee Park in 2013.
With a chance to etch her name in women’s golf history, Yoo skipped last week’s Scottish Women’s Open to focus on preparing for this tournament. Her dedication paid off with a strong start at the AIG Women’s Open.
Yoo kicked off her round with a birdie on the par-3 first hole. She built momentum with consecutive birdies on the par-4 fourth, par-5 sixth, and par-5 seventh holes.
After a bogey on the par-4 15th, Yoo quickly rebounded with a birdie on the par-4 16th. She finished strong, picking up another stroke on the par-4 18th to close out her round.
World No. 2 Tittikun surged to the top of the leaderboard with a flawless round of seven birdies and no bogeys. Despite nine LPGA Tour victories, Tittikun is still seeking her first major championship.
Yealimi Noh (USA) and Celine Boutier (France) are tied for fourth after posting matching 4-under 67s.
Amateur Yang Yoon-seo, who earned her spot in the field by winning the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP), carded a 1-under 70 with three birdies and two bogeys. She’s tied for 17th alongside Jin Hee Im and Soo Bin Joo.
Jin Young Shin, fresh off her victory at the ISPS Handa Scottish Women’s Open – her first win in a decade – shot a 1-over 72. She’s tied for 37th with Mirim Lee, Hee Young Yang, and Sei Young Kim.
In Ji Chun, who could complete the career Grand Slam with a win this week, struggled to a 6-over 77, leaving her tied for 128th in the 144-player field.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA), who has already claimed major titles at the Chevron Championship and U.S. Women’s Open this season, opened with a 2-over 73, putting her in a tie for 53rd place.