Ryu Hae-ran is on course to become just the fifth woman to win three consecutive majors after taking the lead of the British Open at the halfway stage on Friday.

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The South Korean was three over par through the opening five holes of her second round at Royal Lytham and St Annes, but the winner of the PGA Championship and Evian Championship in the past two months bounced back with five birdies to card a two-under par 69 to move to seven under for the tournament.

“I’m just trying to have fun on the course because this course provides a lot of stress through the bunkers and the greens are tough,” said Ryu.

Unfortunately, it’s been a horror tournament for the Aussies.

Beginning the first round with a strong contingent of nine, seven Australian missed the cut including Minjee Lee (+7) and Grace Kim (+10).

For Lee, it’s the continuation of what has been a rough form slump of late.

LYTHAM ST ANNES, ENGLAND – JULY 31: Minjee Lee of Australia plays her second shot on the fifteenth hole during the second round of the AIG Women’s Open 2026 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes on July 31, 2026 in Lytham St Annes, England. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Robyn Choi is the best of the Aussies at one-under par. Hannah Green (+2) also made the cut, but she has some work to do as she’s nine shots off Ryu.

Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki is one shot back from Ryu in second after overnight leader Jeeno Thitikul dropped back.

Thitikul, the world number two, was two over for the day to slip into a share of third on five under par.

World number one Nelly Korda kept alive her quest for a third major of the year after a disappointing Thursday with a 68 to move to one under for the tournament.

“You never know what’s going to happen. It’s links golf,” said the American.

“I’m just going to try to have the same attitude I had today going into the weekend.”

The 2026 season is the first in golf history in which two players, male or female, have won multiple majors.