World No. 1 Nelly Korda shot a 68 during the second round of the 2026 AIG Women's Open on Friday [1].
Korda's strong performance puts the top-ranked player in a prime position to challenge for the title as the tournament moves into its final stages. The results from this round determine which players will have the best chance to secure a major championship win at one of golf's most challenging venues.
The action took place at the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, England [1, 2]. The second round, held on July 31, 2026 [1, 5], saw several leading LPGA players battling difficult course conditions to improve their standing on the leaderboard.
Korda was not the only contender making a move. Charley Hull and Lottie Woad also chased a major win during the day's play [4]. Their efforts reflect the competitive nature of the field as the players fight for a spot at the top of the standings.
Earlier in the tournament, Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul held the lead after the first round [2]. The shift in momentum during Friday's play has tightened the race between the established stars and the rising challengers.
Other notable competitors in the field include South Korea's Haeran Ryu [1]. The pairing of Korda and Ryu had previously been scheduled for a 3:42 a.m. ET tee time on Thursday [3].
As the tournament progresses, the focus remains on whether Korda can maintain her momentum or if Thitikul and other leaders can fend off the surge from the world number one.
“Nelly Korda shot a 68 during the second round”
Korda's ability to post a low score in the second round at Royal Lytham & St Annes signals a strong recovery or maintenance of form that often precedes a major victory. With the leaderboard tightening, the tournament shifts from a test of survival in the opening rounds to a high-pressure sprint for the title, placing the spotlight on Korda's ability to close out the event under weekend pressure.
