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Haeran Ryu Leads Women’s Open: Chasing Historic 3rd Straight Major
The Best Women Golfers Still Chasing Their First Major Championship Win
Who Are the "Nearly Champions" of Women’s Golf?
Imagine playing a game where you come in second place five different times at the biggest tournaments. That’s exactly what Charley Hull has done. She’s one of the best players in the world who hasn’t won a "major" yet.
What is a "Major"?
In golf, there are five biggest, most important tournaments each year for women. They’re called "majors." Winning one is like winning the Super Bowl or the World Cup — it’s the highest honor. The five majors are:
- The Chevron Championship
- The U.S. Women’s Open
- The Women’s PGA Championship
- The Evian Championship
- The Women’s British Open (the one happening right now!)
Alongside Hull, Atthaya Thitikul (nicknamed "Jeeno") is the other big name. She used to be the #1 ranked player in the whole world and has finished in the top 10 at majors 11 times — but the winner’s trophy has slipped through her fingers so far.
Charley Hull: The Queen of "Almost"
Her Major Heartbreaks
- 5 runner-up finishes at majors (that’s 5 silver medals!)
- Most recent near-miss: June 2024 U.S. Women’s Open
How She’s Playing at the British Open (Rounds 1 & 2)
| Round | Score | Position | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 (Thursday) | 2 under par | Strong contender | Solid, steady start |
| Round 2 (Friday) | Even par (72) | Still in the hunt | Tricky back nine, but finished with style! |
Friday’s Dramatic Finish:
- Birdie from a bunker on the 17th hole (a bunker is a sand trap — getting out and making birdie is really hard!)
- Par on the 18th hole to close the round
What do these scores mean?
- Par = The expected number of strokes for a hole
- Birdie = One stroke better than par (great!)
- Bogey = One stroke worse than par (not great)
- Under par = Better than expected (negative number = good!)
- Lipped out = The ball hit the edge of the hole but didn’t fall in
Hull’s Own Words
"I am really looking forward to it [the weekend], it’s going to be loads of fun. I feel like now my nerves have settled down. My back was actually playing up for me a little bit, a little bit sore, that’s why I think I wasn’t getting through the ball how I wanted to."
Atthaya Thitikul: The Former World #1 Under Pressure
Her Insane Consistency at Majors
- Former World #1 ranked player
- 11 top-10 finishes at majors (that’s incredible consistency)
- Has openly talked about struggling with the pressure of finally breaking through
Her British Open Journey So Far
| Round | Performance | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | FLAWLESS | Zero dropped shots (no bogeys at all!) |
| Round 2 | Tougher day | Wind picked up • Streak ended on hole 3 |
Friday’s Ups and Downs:
- Lipped out for birdie on holes 6 and 7 (so close!)
- Amazing par save on hole 15 — stopped back-to-back bogeys
- Only birdie of the day came on hole 12
- Final putt lipped out — would’ve grabbed another shot back
Why did the wind matter?
Golf balls fly differently in wind. A "helping wind" makes the ball go farther; a "hurting wind" holds it up. Thursday was calmer; Friday’s stronger wind made club selection and shot shaping much trickier.
The Mental Game
Thitikul has admitted the noise and expectation of "finally winning a major" gets to her. After her stunning bogey-free Thursday, she might actually be relieved the spotlight has shifted a bit to Hull.
How a Golf Tournament Works (ELI5 Version)
If you’re new to tournament golf, here’s the basic structure:
- Thursday & Friday (Rounds 1 & 2) → Everyone plays
- THE CUT → Only the top ~65-70 players (plus ties) make it to the weekend
- Saturday (Round 3) → "Moving Day" — players try to climb the leaderboard
- Sunday (Round 4) → Final round → Winner takes the trophy!
Both Hull and Thitikul made the cut easily — they’re playing the weekend!
Important Points to Remember
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Charley Hull has 5 major runner-up finishes — most recent at June’s U.S. Open
- She’s 2 under par through 36 holes and in serious contention
- Atthaya Thitikul is a former World #1 with 11 major top-10s
- Thursday: Flawless, bogey-free round | Friday: Wind hurt scoring, only 1 birdie
- Both players are playing the weekend with a real chance to win
- Hull’s back soreness and Thitikul’s mental pressure are storylines to watch
What to Watch This Weekend
| Storyline | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Can Hull stay patient? | Her back issue + 5 past near-misses = mental test |
| Will Thitikul shake the "major monkey"? | 11 top-10s but 0 wins — the pressure is unique |
| Weather & wind | British Open = links golf = wind is always a factor |
| Leaderboard bunching | Majors often have tight packs — one hot round changes everything |
Summary
The Women’s British Open is shaping up as a dramatic showdown between two of the game’s best players still searching for their first major championship.
Charley Hull arrives with five runner-up finishes on her résumé and a two-under-par total through two rounds. She’s managing a sore back but says her nerves have settled — dangerous combination for the field.
Atthaya Thitikul, the former World #1, boasts eleven top-10 major finishes but carries the weight of expectation. A perfect opening round gave way to a wind-affected Friday, though her gritty par save on 15 showed champion resolve.
Both made the cut. Both have the game to win. And both know Sunday evening could finally change their careers forever.
FAQ
Q: What does "runner-up" mean in golf?
A: It means finishing in second place — either alone or tied. Hull has done this five times at major championships.
Q: Why is winning a major such a big deal?
A: Majors are the five most prestigious tournaments of the year. They have the strongest fields, toughest courses, most history, and biggest prize money/ranking points. A major win defines a career.
Q: What is "links golf" and why does wind matter so much?
A: The British Open is played on links courses — coastal, flat, few trees, deep bunkers, firm turf. With no trees to block wind, even a breeze changes how far the ball flies and how it bounces. Players must hit lower, creative shots.
Q: What does "made the cut" mean?
A: After two rounds (36 holes), the field is reduced. Only players near the top of the leaderboard (usually top 65 + ties) continue to Saturday and Sunday. Missing the cut = going home early (and no prize money).
Q: Has either player won a regular LPGA Tour event?
A: Yes! Both have multiple regular tour wins. Hull has won on the LPGA Tour (including the 2022 Volunteers of America Classic). Thitikul has multiple LPGA wins including two in her rookie 2022 season. They just haven’t cracked the major code yet.
