Shiho Kuwaki holds 1-shot clubhouse lead in second round of British Women’s Open

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England (AP) — Shiho Kuwaki of Japan sank a birdie putt on the 16th in her 1-under 70 for a one-shot clubhouse lead over Jeeno Thitikul in the second round of the British Women’s Open on Friday.

Thitikul, still in pursuit of her first victory at a major, had brought a two-stroke lead over Kuwaki and Haeran Ryu into day two at Royal Lytham & St. Annes but made three bogeys in her 73.

Kuwaki led for the first time Friday after her birdie on 16 and following Thitikul's second bogey of the day — on the par-5 11th when the Thai star's putt for par didn't drop.

Thitikul, one of only two players to have been No. 1 in the women’s world ranking without ever having won a major, had a bogey-free 64 in the first round but didn't give herself a good birdie opportunity Friday until the par-3 12th, when she rolled in from 6 feet to regain a share of the lead at 6-under overall.

With Kuwaki in the clubhouse, Thitikul then fell a shot back on the 14th when she misjudged a birdie putt before missing from 4 feet on her second putt, ending with her third bogey. Thitikul limited the damage, though, on the 15th when she saved par with a long putt.

The 23-year-old Thitikul has been overlooked during the LPGA major season dominated by Ryu and Nelly Korda, who have split the four majors. Korda, who replaced Thitikul at No. 1 in April, won the first two majors and Ryu won the next two.

Kuwaki had three straight birdies early in her round but sandwiched them with bogeys. She dropped another shot on the 15th.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, drives off the 4th tee during the second round of the Women's British Open golf championship in Lytham St Annes, England, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Haeran Ryu, of South Korea, lines up a putt on the 2nd green during the second round of the Women's British Open golf championship in Lytham St Annes, England, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Jeeno Thitikul, of Thailand, plays a shot out of a bunker on the 3rd hole during the second round of the Women's British Open golf championship in Lytham St Annes, England, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Jeeno Thitikul, of Thailand, drives off the 3rd tee during the second round of the Women's British Open golf championship in Lytham St Annes, England, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Shiho Kuwaki, of Japan, takes note as she walks off the 3rd green during the second round of the Women's British Open golf championship in Lytham St Annes, England, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Shiho Kuwaki, of Japan, drives off the 4th tee during the second round of the Women's British Open golf championship in Lytham St Annes, England, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Shiho Kuwaki, of Japan, acknowledges the crowd after putting on the 18th green during the second round of the Women's British Open golf championship in Lytham St Annes, England, Friday, July 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) —

Drew Rasmussen struck out 10 in six strong innings and Nick Fortes drove in the game's only run as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Chicago White Sox 1-0 Saturday.

Bryan Baker recorded his American League-leading 31st save of the season, converting his 20th consecutive opportunity by retiring Chicago’s third, fourth and fifth hitters in the ninth.

Rasmussen (10-5) allowed four hits, all singles, and gave up one walk. Only two baserunners advanced past first base for Chicago, which had its three-game winning streak halted.

Noah Schultz (3-8) allowed three hits in five innings.

Five Tampa Bay pitchers combined to strike out 16 batters as the Rays recorded their ninth shutout victory this season and fourth in the past seven games. Saturday marked the third 1-0 victory of the season and second in the past week.

“We know how to pitch when the game is on the line,’’ Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “When you’re winning 1-0, every pitch is on the line. One swing can change that and our guys have really stepped up.’’

The Rays broke a scoreless tie in the fifth when Jonny DeLuca led off with a single, stole second with one out and advanced to third on a ground out to first by Ben Williamson. Fortes followed with a line drive to short left field, scoring DeLuca.

Rays RHP Griffin Jax (6-8, 3.74 ERA) is scheduled to face Chicago LHP Anthony Kay (7-5, 4.25) in the series finale on Sunday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Chicago White Sox Chase Meidroth strikes out during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Bryan Baker celebrates after striking out Chicago White Sox's Randal Grichuk, not pictured, during the ninth inning to end a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays' Nick Fortes hits an RBI single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)