Ryu roars back, grabs lead with 69; Saso barely makes cut

MANILA, Philippines -- Haeran Ryu once again showed why she has become the player to beat in women's major championships, overcoming a shaky start with a stirring rebound to claim the solo lead halfway through the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes in Lancashire, England on Friday (Saturday Manila time).

Displaying the resilience that has fueled her victories in the Women's PGA Championship and the Evian Championship, the 25-year-old South Korean recovered from an early three-over-par stretch with five birdies to salvage a two-under 69. At nine-under 135, she moved one stroke clear of Japan's Shiho Kuwaki and within 36 holes of completing a remarkable sweep of three consecutive major championships.

That Ryu accomplished the feat on a wind-battered Royal Lytham & St Annes layout – where pot bunkers, gusting winds and unforgiving greens punished even the slightest mistake – only underscored the confidence and poise that have transformed her into the hottest player in women's golf.

After opening with a near-flawless 66 on Thursday, a round eclipsed only by Jeeno Thitikul's brilliant 64, Ryu appeared headed for trouble in the late afternoon wave. She bogeyed the third hole before a costly double bogey on the par-3 fifth briefly sent her tumbling down the leaderboard.

Rather than unravel, Ryu responded like a seasoned major champion.

She birdied the par-5 seventh to halt the slide, added another on the ninth, then carried the momentum home with birdies on Nos. 10, 15 and the demanding finishing hole to turn what seemed destined to be a disappointing round into another statement performance.

Earlier, Kuwaki had battled through the difficult morning conditions with a 70 to seize the clubhouse lead at 136. But Ryu's fightback lifted her atop the leaderboard at seven-under overall, putting her within reach of joining some of golf's most celebrated names.

Should she prevail on Sunday, Ryu would become only the fifth player to win three consecutive women's majors, matching the achievements of Babe Zaharias, Mickey Wright, Pat Bradley and fellow South Korean Inbee Park.

"I'm just trying to have fun on the course because this is very stressful," said Ryu, referring to Royal Lytham's punishing bunkers and relentless wind.

Despite her dominant run, Ryu dismissed talk of history.

"There are a lot of great players in here, so that's why I just want to think about my golf," she said. "Because this is a major, nobody knows what comes up."

Given the brutal conditions, her caution is well founded.

Royal Lytham & St Annes has played every bit as demanding as expected, leaving the championship wide open despite Ryu's advantage. But if recent majors are any indication, the rest of the field will have to find a way not only to launch a charge but also to prevent Ryu from adding yet another major trophy to her growing collection.

Kuwaki remained firmly in the hunt after an eventful round. She erased an early bogey on the third with three consecutive birdies from No. 4, stumbled again with bogeys on the seventh and 15th, but birdied the 16th before closing with two steady pars to remain just one shot off the pace.

Yealimi Noh also staged an impressive recovery. After a double bogey on the fourth wiped out an early birdie on No. 2, the former US Girls' Junior champion responded with birdies on the fifth and sixth before adding another on the 11th to briefly threaten the lead. A bogey on No. 15, however, forced her to settle for a 70 and a share of third at 137.

Joining her was first-round leader Thitikul, whose sparkling seven-birdie opening-round 64 gave way to a frustrating day on the greens. The Thai star repeatedly failed to convert birdie opportunities and also let several par saves slip away, resulting in a two-over 73 that dropped her into a tie for third.

Another South Korean, Soo Bin Joo, also worked her way into contention with a gritty 69. After an early bogey on the third, she answered with birdies on Nos. 5, 6 and 8 to climb to 139, four shots behind Ryu entering the weekend.

While the leaders have separated themselves, no advantage is secure in a major championship, particularly on one of golf's sternest tests. Any player capable of producing two low rounds over the weekend could still force their way into contention.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda kept those hopes alive by rebounding from an opening 73 with a 68 to climb into a tie for 14th at 141. Although six strokes behind Ryu, the American remains within striking distance if the difficult conditions continue to tighten the leaderboard.

For Yuka Saso, however, the battle shifted toward simply making the cut.

After closing her opening round with a bogey for a 72, the ICTSI-backed two-time US Women's Open champion dropped three shots over her first eight holes Friday. She steadied herself with birdies on Nos. 9 and 11 but gave one back on the 12th before parring the final six holes for a 73.

At three-over 145, Saso slipped into a tie for 45th, just one stroke inside the projected cut line of 146.

Among those failing to reach the weekend were former major champions Lilia Vu (72-147), Hinako Shibuno (73-147), Jiyai Shin (74-147) and 2018 champion Georgia Hall (72-148), all victims of Royal Lytham's relentless challenge.