Ryu leads Women's Open, chasing third straight major

Haeran Ryu of South Korea surged to the top of the leaderboard at the AIG Women's Open after the second round at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The 25-year-old birdied the final hole to recover from a shaky start, finishing with a two-under-par round. Her opening score of 66 had already set the pace, and she now holds a one-shot advantage over Japan's Shiho Kuwaki.

Ryu is chasing a historic achievement: becoming the fifth woman ever to win three majors in a single calendar year. Earlier this month, she captured the Evian Championship, her second major in two weeks, and she has carried that momentum into this tournament. Despite going three over through the first five holes, Ryu collected five birdies to steady her round. She said she stayed patient and was pleased to finish under par.

Kuwaki took advantage of Jeeno Thitikul's struggles, carding a one-under-par round. Thitikul, who had fired a spectacular 64 in the first round, slipped to a two-over 73. American Yealimi Noh joined Thitikul at five under after shooting 70.

England's Lottie Woad remains in contention after a second-round 71 left her at two under. Woad, who started with a bogey-free 69, made three birdies on the front nine but stumbled with two bogeys on the back nine, including one at the 17th. She sits five shots behind the leader. Charley Hull also stayed at two under following an even-par round, while world number one Nelly Korda rebounded from her opening 73 with a 68.

Lydia Ko, a three-time major winner, is at one under, alongside England's Mimi Rhodes, who recovered from two early bogeys with three birdies.