Ryu leads Open in pursuit of third straight major

AIG Women's Open

-7 H Ryu (Kor); -6 S Kuwaki (Jpn); -5 Y Noh (US), A Thitikul (Tha); -3 S Joo (Kor); -2 L Woad (Eng), C Hull (Eng), C Wannasaen (Tha), L Li (US), J Yan (US), L Coughlin (US), P Martin (Esp), M Katsu (Jpn)

Selected others: -1 L Ko (NZ), N Korda (US), M Rhodes (Eng); +2 A Hewson (Eng), +6 G Hall (Eng), +7 M Yamashita (Jpn)

Full leaderboard

South Korea's Haeran Ryu birdied the 18th to bounce back from a poor start and end the second round as leader of the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The 25-year-old, aiming to become only the fifth woman in history to claim three majors in a calendar year, is one shot clear of Japan's Shiho Kuwaki.

Earlier this month, Ryu claimed her second major in the space of two weeks at the Evian Championship, and her remarkable major form has continued at the Open.

Despite being three over for the day through five holes, she sank five birdies to shoot two under par and build on her opening-round score of 66.

"The last hole is so important as it is always good for tomorrow, I always want to make a good score on the last hole," Ryu told BBC Sport.

"I've had two birdies on it, which is a good thing.

"I just stayed patient after that [the tough start] and I made some birdies to finish under par. I am so happy now."

Kuwaki, who finished Thursday two shots behind leader Jeeno Thitikul, carded a one-under-par round to take advantage of Thitikul's dropped shots.

Following a spectacular seven-under-par 64, Thailand's Thitikul shot a two-over-par 73.

American Yealimi Noh joins world number two Thitikul on five under par after shooting 70.

England's Lottie Woad is in a strong position to compete for a first major title despite a disappointing end to her second round.

The 22-year-old, who arrived as one of the favourites, ended the day on two under par.

Woad's bogey-free opening round of 69 was followed up by a score of 71, which included three birdies on the front nine.

However, two dropped shots on the back nine - one on 17 - leaves her five shots back.

England's Charley Hull went round in even par to remain on two under par, while world number one Nelly Korda shot 68 to recover from an opening-round two-over-par 73.

Three-time major champion Lydia Ko is also well placed to make a move from one under par, as is England's Mimi Rhodes, who recovered from two early bogeys to sink three birdies.