Japan’s Miyu Yamashita captured her first major title in commanding fashion at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, earning a winner’s check of $1,462,500.
Entering the final round with a one-shot lead, the newly turned 24-year-old carded three birdies on the front nine and dropped her only shot of the day on the 17th, to seal the victory – capping off her birthday weekend in style.
“To win such a historic tournament in front of all these fans is such an incredible feeling, and to have my family around me is just amazing”, said the champion. “To be part of such a moment in history is something very, very special.”
This major title adds to her success on the LPGA of Japan Tour, where she already has 13 titles, and becomes the sixth major champion from Japan.
She continued: “This was a goal of mine from a very young age to win a major championship, and to be able to do that is very special. It’s been the result of hard work every single day, making changes, making improvements, and to be able to do it now and call myself a champion is incredible.”
Before her breakthrough win, Yamashita’s best result in a major was a runner-up finish at the 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Earlier this year, she placed T6 at the same event and most recently finished T14 at the Amundi Evian Championship.
“To have so many Japanese players doing so well at the moment is something that keeps me going. For us all to support each other is something that I’m really looking forward to in the future as well”, said the 24-year-old.
(Miyu Yamashita during the celebrations. Credit Mark Runnacles/LET)
Following yesterday’s round she spoke to her father, who’s also her coach, and they went through a few things – including her swing and game. She continued: “I’m really happy with how I made the adjustments today to get the victory.”
A strong crowd turned out for the final day, braving a wet and windy start before the weather cleared in the afternoon. More than 47,000 fans have attended the five days of the Championship at Royal Porthcawl, making it the largest women’s sporting event ever in Wales.
England’s Charley Hull was two shots back on nine-under par in T2 alongside Japan’s Minami Katsu.
Hull was right in contention until she made bogeys on 16 and 17 which made it a long way back for the four-time LET winner, who was chasing her first major title.
“Towards the end I didn’t even hit a bad shot on 16. I hit a perfect tee shot, and just the wind didn’t even move it like an inch. It was a bit unfortunate, then missed that putt on 17. A shame about 18 because I had a pretty high chip over the bunker, and I’d done pretty well just to get it there. It’s unfortunate, but I felt like I was very much in control of my game today. I don’t feel like I missed hit any shots out there. I hit it pretty pure today.”
The four-time LET winner has come so close to winning before with a runner-up in both the US Women’s Open and AIG Women’s Open in 2023.
Large crowds followed Hull the entire round. She added: “It was great. I felt goosebumps, especially with that birdie putt. I can’t even remember what hole it was, 14 maybe. It was really good.”
She heads to the PIF London Championship next week. “I am looking forward to playing in London next week. It’s at home. Just looking forward building on that from here. Another second place in a major.”
Two shots further back were Japan’s Rio Takeda and South Korea’s A Lim Kim, who were both in a tie for fourth place, on seven-under par.
Chinese Taipei’s Wei-Ling Hsu and America’s Megan Khang were both in a tie for sixth place, just a further shot back.
England’s Lottie Woad, who just prior to this tournament accepted LET membership, finished in T8, alongside Australia’s Steph Kyriacou and leading amateur Paula Martin Sampedro.
Heading into this week, there were high expectations given Woad’s win at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open the week before. “I don’t think it affected my golf, but it was definitely a lot more attention, a lot more eyes on me. I feel like I handled it pretty well overall and was just sticking to my game, just trying to focus on the prep really and not let it distract me too much”, said the LET winner.
Despite a shaky start, Spanish amateur Sampedro’s back nine saw an impressive five back-to-back birdies, then capped it off with another on 18.
“I knew it was going to be a tough beginning”, said the Spaniard. “And then just managed to keep calm and just hole a couple of putts. I then started to see the lines better.”
With this performance, Sampedro will now play the 2026 edition of the AIG Women’s Open. She added: “I couldn’t imagine a better ending for my AIG Women’s Open, 6-under in my eight holes and birdie on the last, truly a dream come true. I know I’ve been the lowest amateur this week, and if I finish in the top 10 I’ll be next year, which is nice.”
England’s Mimi Rhodes made an ace at the 5th hole which marked the second hole-in-one of the week, following Australia’s Steph Kyriacou’s on the 8th hole on day two.
Commenting on her hole-in-one, she said: “I hit a really good 8-iron, hit it right where I wanted it to. I wasn’t expecting it to go in, so I just picked up my tee, and I heard everyone going crazy. Extra loud than usual, so I knew something had happened. Then we just walked up to the green and it was in the hole. I had no idea it hit Steph’s ball until I just saw the video, so that’s unbelievable.”
Rhodes continued: “I’ve loved playing in front of my 30 family members and home crowds this week. It’s been an unforgettable week. I’m really happy with where my game’s at.”
Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini finished just outside the top 10 in T13 alongside five other players on two-under par.
“I was really solid off the tee this week”, said the Swiss. “I’ve struggled more with that over the weekend and think that’s what cost me a bit as well to really make a push on the weekend. It was still good golf, but that’s why I dropped down a little bit. I made some good putts today as well on the back nine to keep me up there, which was really good. Overall, a really exciting week, and I guess a bit of a confidence builder as well.”
Welsh star Darcey Harry finished T40 on her AIG Women’s Open debut at her home course, alongside South Africa’s Casandra Alexander, Singapore’s Shannon Tan, Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom, America’s Angel Yin, and Japan’s Akie Iwai.
“It was tough. The start was probably one of the worst weather starts I think I’ve ever played in, more so because of the wind was so strong. I don’t think anyone could really reach the first hole in two, even with a big drive and a low 2-hybrid. But really nice to have two birdies on the back nine and just keep in there”, said the LET rookie.
Commenting on her whole experience, she said: “It’s been great. It’s been so lovely to see such a quiet place be so busy with so many people. I went to the men’s Open not too long ago, and I have to say the crowds for me feel like maybe nearly like one of the first two days, which I think is very impressive. A lot of Welsh support out there. Again, hopefully that will drive Welsh sport to host some more big events.”
(Darcey Harry with fans. Credit Mark Runnacles/LET)
In the LET Order of Merit, Rhodes remains top of the leaderboard on 1,708.88 points, followed by Czechia’s Sara Kouskova on 1,473.71, and Tan in third on 1,419.95.
The 2026 AIG Women’s Open will be played at Royal Lytham & St Annes from 29 July to 2 August. For more information or to book tickets or hospitality please visit www.aigowomensopen.com.
Next up for the LET is the PIF London Championship taking place at the Centurion Club, 8 – 10 August.
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