LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England — Jeeno Thitikul took the first step toward the missing prize of her career Thursday when she opened with a 7-under 64 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes for a two-shot lead over Haeran Ryu and Shiho Kuwaki of ***** an in the AIG Women's Open.
Thitikul, one of only two players to have been No. 1 in women's world ranking without ever having won a major, made three straight birdies early in her afternoon round and kept bogeys off her card the rest of the way.
The 23-year-old Thai has been overlooked during the LPGA major season dominated by Ryu and Nelly Korda, who have split the four majors. Korda, who replaced Thitikul at No. 1 in April, won the first two majors and Ryu won the next two.
Ryu put herself in good position to make it three in a row — not since Inbee Park in 2013 has anyone claimed three straight majors — with two birdies on her last three holes for a 66. She won the Women's PGA at Hazeltine and closed with 60 to win the Evian Championship.
"I was so amazed, and I asked my caddie why I'm playing well this week," Ryu said. "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."

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