World number two Jeeno Thitikul carded a seven-under 64 to lead the first round of the AIG Women's Open by two shots at Royal Lytham & St Anne's. The 23-year-old Thai golfer, who has 11 top-10 major finishes but no wins, played a bogey-free round.

South Korea's Haeran Ryu and Japan's Shiho Kuwaki are tied for second at five under. England's Lottie Woad and Charley Hull are among a group at two under, while Alice Hewson finished one under. World number one Nelly Korda is off the pace at two over.

Royal Lytham & St Anne's has previously hosted the Women's Open with British winners in Catriona Matthew (2009) and Georgia Hall (2018). Woad, 22, is well-positioned after a bogey-free 69, while Hull, a five-time major runner-up, aims to finally secure a victory despite a mixed round.