South Korean looks to join elite groups of greats in women’s game

Haeran Ryu of South Korea remains on course to join an elite group of female golfers to have won three successive Major championships as she holds a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Having closely followed her Women's PGA triumph in June with victory at the Evian Championship in France earlier this month, the 25-year-old is looking to become only the fifth player to complete the hat-trick.

The feat was last achieved by her compatriot Inbee Park in 2013 and bettered only by the American Mickey Wright, who won four back-to-back in 1961 and '62.

Despite starting her second round by dropping three shots in the first five holes, Ryu recovered to follow her opening 66 with a 69 and stand seven-under for the championship.

Ryu pointed out that how you finish is more important than your start and she was delighted to birdie the tricky 18th for the second successive round.

Japan's Shiho Kuwaki ended the second round as she did the first in second place, rounds of 66 and 70 leaving her one shot behind on six-under.

Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul couldn't match her opening 64, which remains the round of the championship so far. However, a disappointing 73 was still enough to tie her in third spot on five-under with American Yealimi Noh (67, 70).

Hopes for a first British winner since Georgia Hall triumphed on the Fylde coast in 2018 remain with Lottie Woad and two-time runner-up Charley Hall among the group of eight players sharing sixth spot at two-under.

Both went round in level par on Friday after an opening 69, while Mimi Rhodes stands one-under after today's 70 as she enjoys an impressive debut season on the LPGA Tour.

Lydia Ko is also in the reckoning on the same score as she seeks a New Zealand Open double, fellow Kiwi Ryan Fox having lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale a fortnight ago.

The 19 players under par also include Nelly Korda, who would achieve the career Grand Slam – and a third Major this year – with victory. The American hit back from an opening 73 with a 68.

There hasn't been a back-to-back winner of the Women's Open since Sherri Steinhauer in 1998-99 (the first of those titles at RL&SA), and a first-time winner has been crowned every year since Jiyai Shin claimed her second title at Royal Liverpool in 2012.

Last year's champion Miyu Yamashita won't be breaking that trend as the Japanese star exits early after a 77 left her seven-over. Hall was also set to miss the cut at six over.