Well, if you’re the kind of person who enjoys watching a finely-tuned athlete at the peak of her game, then Charley Hull’s opening round at the 2024 AIG Women’s Open would’ve made your heart sing.
The Rolex Rankings No. 10 pulled off a performance that was nothing short of sublime, hitting 12 of 16 fairways and 13 of 18 greens while needing only 27 putts.
If that doesn’t make your morning cup of coffee taste a little sweeter, I don’t know what will.
Hull’s round was the kind of golf that leaves her fellow competitors glancing sideways, wondering what she had for breakfast.
Six birdies and just one bogey were enough to give her a one-stroke lead, making this her first 18-hole lead of the LPGA season.
In fact, this is just the second time in her career that Hull has found herself atop the leaderboard after any round in a major.
The last time she did this was when she led after 54 holes in the 2023 AIG Women’s Open, where she finished second.
The Englishwoman seems to have a soft spot for major tournaments on home soil.
Hull is making her 13th appearance at the AIG Women’s Open, and while her record includes only one top-10 finish—second place last year—this is the third time she’s kicked things off with a round in the 60s.
“To go out there, shoot 5-under, play pretty solid, it was a lot of fun. I hit some great, great shots.”
Charley Hull
And this wasn’t just any round in the 60s; it’s her lowest opening-round score since she posted a 67 at the Kroger Queen City Championship last year.
But if there’s anything we’ve learned about golf, it’s that momentum can be as fleeting as a putt that lips out at the last second.
And now, let’s take a look at the challengers closing in on the lead. Ruoning Yin and Nelly Korda are both just one shot back, and neither of them is in the mood to be charitable.
Yin’s round was a mixed bag of brilliance and frustration, with seven birdies offset by three bogeys.
This 20-year-old is no stranger to the big stage, having claimed her first major victory at the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, making her the 15th youngest major winner in LPGA history.
Now she’s looking to add the AIG Women’s Open to her growing list of accolades.
Meanwhile, Korda, who’s perched at No. 1 in the Rolex Rankings, is in vintage form.
Her five birdies and one bogey are a testament to the kind of steady, unflappable golf that’s seen her win The Chevron Championship earlier this year.
This is Korda’s eighth start at the AIG Women’s Open, and while she’s only missed one cut—back in 2017—she’s only managed one top-10 finish so far.
But don’t be fooled; she’s begun four out of the five majors this year with rounds in the 60s, and if she keeps this up, there’s a good chance she’ll be lifting the trophy come Sunday.
The leaderboard is tightly packed, with a cluster of six players tied at T4, including defending champion Lilia Vu, who’s trying to become the first to defend the title since Yani Tseng did it over a decade ago.
Others in this group include Patty Tavatanakit, who’s just returned from withdrawing from the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, and Andrea Lee, who seems to be making a habit of starting fast this season.
As for the amateurs in the field, keep an eye on Lottie Woad and Julia Lopez Ramirez, who both sit at even par and are tied for 19th.
These two young talents are already making names for themselves in college golf and might just surprise a few seasoned pros before the week is out.
So, as we head into Day Two of the 2024 AIG Women’s Open, Hull’s got the lead, but with the calibre of talent nipping at her heels, nothing is guaranteed.
It’s going to be a wild ride, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
