AIG Women’s Open day one: Jeeno Thitikul is swiftly out of the blocks at Royal Lytham & St Annes

Jeeno Thitikul enjoyed a dream start to round one of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Thursday.

The world number two from Thailand hit seven birdies in her round of 64 on the Fylde links.

Thitikul, who won the Smyth Salver as the leading amateur when RL&SA last staged the tournament in 2018, is two clear of Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki and Haeran Ryu.

The South Korean star, who is looking to win her third consecutive major title in 2026, holed out from 15 feet at the last in carding a 66.

“Yeah, I’m just much better, calmer before a major so that’s why these days my score is pretty low,” she said.

“I was so amazed and I asked my caddie why I’m playing well this week.

“I think it’s because I’m more calm and enjoying the golf more, that’s why these days my golf is going pretty well.”

Lottie Woad and Charley Hull lead home hopes after the opening holes, sitting two under as they look to become the first British winner since Georgia Hall’s victory at RL&SA eight years ago.

Woad carded a bogey-free round featuring a birdie on the par-five sixth and a two on the 12th.

It could have been even better, but her eagle putt at six rolled all the way around the hole and lipped out.

She told Sky Sports: “There’s not many birdie opportunities on this course, to be honest, so I think you’ve got to play the par fives pretty aggressively.

“(The 12th) was great. There were so many fans out there, especially teeing off early, and that one was definitely a bonus, and kind of made up for some of that. Everyone went pretty crazy, so it was great.”

Hull briefly moved to three under after holing from off the green on the 15th, only to drop a shot on the next.

World number one Nelly Korda, who is also seeking a third major this year, hit four bogeys in a two-over total of 73.

She is one behind Miyu Yamashita, the defending champion, while 2024 winner Lydia Ko finished on level par.