Record-breaker reacts

World number two Jeeno Thitikul rewrote the history books at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Thursday, carding a breathtaking, bogey-free seven-under-par 64 to grab the first-round lead at the AIG Women's Open.

Four players previously shared the championship course record of 65 at Royal Lytham, but Thitikul’s flawless opening 18 holes set a new benchmark, giving her a two-shot cushion at the top of the leaderboard.

Despite finding just eight of 14 fairways (57%) off the tee, the 23-year-old Thai star put on a clinical display with her irons and putter. She hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation (89%), missing only the 14th and 17th, and needed just 29 putts. Crucially, Thitikul completely avoided Lytham’s vast array of hazardous fairway pot bunkers.

"Yeah, I do enjoy it when golf is good," Thitikul said after her round. "It's kind of really nice. I knew I hit some good shots, but some of the best shots luckily bounced over the pot bunkers. You know, when it's your way, it's really your way. I knew I had a really good putter today too."

Royal Lytham & St Annes holds fond memories for Thitikul. It was at this venue in 2018 that she claimed the Smyth Salver [below] as the championship's leading amateur at just 15-years-old. Returning eight years later as a world-class contender, her target was straightforward.