Yoo Haeran Fires 5-Under... "March Toward Third Consecutive Major Title Begins"

Tied for Second Place After AIG Women's Open Round 1
Third in LPGA Tour History With a Win
Thitikul Leads, Kuwaki in Second, Korda Tied for 53rd

World No. 3 Yoo Hae-ran has begun her campaign to achieve three consecutive major titles.

On July 31 (Korean time), Yoo Hae-ran played the first round of the 2026 season’s final major tournament on the LPGA Tour, the AIG Women's Open (total prize money: 10 million dollars), held at Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, England (par 71, 6,601 yards). She carded six birdies and one bogey, finishing with a 5-under-par 66. Yoo Hae-ran ended the round tied for second alongside Kuwaki Shiho of Japan, who won last month's JLPGA Tour Suntory Ladies Open.

Yoo Hae-ran is teeing off at the first hole of the first round of the 2026 season's final major tournament, the AIG Women's Open. Riddum St. Andrews=AP Yonhap News

Late last month, Yoo Hae-ran won the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, a major tournament, and then went on to capture the title at the season’s fourth major, the Amundi Evian Championship, on July 12. A victory in this tournament would mean she achieves the historic feat of three consecutive major titles. Only two players—Babe Zaharias (USA) in 1950 and Park Inbee in 2013—have ever won three majors in a single women's golf season.

During the round, Yoo Hae-ran made birdies on the 1st (par 3) and 4th (par 4) holes, then achieved back-to-back birdies on the 6th and 7th holes, reducing her score by four strokes in the front nine. In the back nine, she made her only bogey on the 15th (par 4) but bounced back with birdies on the 16th and 18th holes, entering the competition for the title. Her accuracy was evident, missing only three fairways and three greens. Yoo finished two shots behind the leader, setting the stage for her third win of the season and sixth career victory.

World No. 2 Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand) surged to the top of the leaderboard with seven birdies and no bogeys, recording a 7-under-par 64. She is a formidable player, having collected nine career titles, including two this year.

Among Korean players, Lim Jinhee, Joo Subin, and amateur Yang Yunseo finished tied for 17th at 1-under-par 70. Kang Minji ended the round tied for 26th (even-par 71). Last week’s ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open winner Shin Jieun, along with Kim Seyoung, Lee Mihyang, and Yang Heeyoung, were tied for 37th place at 1-over-par 72.

Nelly Korda (USA), who is aiming for a career grand slam, struggled with two birdies and four bogeys, finishing tied for 53rd at 2-over-par 73. Jiyai Shin, who has won this tournament twice, as well as Choi Hyejin, also joined this group.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.