Who are the best active players never to have won a major in the women’s game?
For many, Hull and Thitikul would be the first names that come to mind.
Hull has finished runner-up in five majors, with her most recent near-miss coming in June’s US Open.
Her solid opening round at the Open left her two under par and in a strong position to challenge for a maiden major title.
A tricky back nine on her second round ended in style, as a birdie from the bunker on the 17th was followed by a par at the last.
It was not a round that ever truly caught fire, despite featuring three birdies, but it keeps Hull firmly in contention.
“I am really looking forward to it [the weekend], it’s going to be loads of fun,” Hull said.
“I feel like now my nerves have settled down. My back was actually playing up for me a little bit, a little bit sore, that’s why I think I wasn’t getting through the ball how I wanted to.”
Former world number one Thitikul, who has 11 top-10 finishes in majors, said the stronger wind compared with Thursday played a part in her scoring.
She lipped out for birdie on the sixth and seventh before a lengthy par save on the 15th prevented back-to-back bogeys.
Her faultless opening round contained no dropped shots, but that run ended on the third hole of her second round.
Thitikul’s only birdie of the day came on 12, but there could have been more. She also lipped out with her final putt, which would have pulled another shot back.
Having spoken previously about struggling to cope with the noise of finally winning a major, Thitikul may be content for the spotlight to shift elsewhere after her stunning opening round.
