Okayama and Takeda Share the Spotlight After Blistering Start
Japan’s rising stars shine through wind and nerves to lead at Royal Porthcawl
Japan’s Eri Okayama and Rio Takeda surged to the top of the leaderboard at the AIG Women’s Open with matching five-under-par 67s in a wind-whipped opening round at Royal Porthcawl.
Okayama, battling a back injury that limited her preparation, shook off an early bogey with a barrage of birdies, including five on the front nine and another at the 17th. “My tee shots were pretty good today, so I was able to play without any major issues,” she said. “I made one or two long putts, both about five meters long, and had quite a few chances to get within two metres.”
Having booked her place with a runner-up finish at the Suntory Ladies Open in June, the 29-year-old admitted: “I've barely been able to practice up until this point, so I've been taking it easy and taking care of myself.”
Takeda, 22, carded seven birdies of her own and remained composed despite a double bogey on the 9th. “I was able to quickly change my mindset, and it was good that I was able to do that,” she said. “I played really well today, but it's only the first day, and you never know what's going to happen on this course.”
Their compatriot Miyu Yamashita sits just one stroke back after an electrifying front nine, where she reeled off four straight birdies and followed them with an eagle at the 9th. “My mid-range putts went in and helped me improve my score,” said Yamashita, who has finished in the top 25 in her two previous appearances at this championship.
A tightly packed leaderboard saw 10 players shoot 69s to tie for fourth, including England’s Mimi Rhodes, Belgium’s Manon De Roey, and Germany’s Laura Fuenfstueck. Rhodes, the LET Order of Merit leader, balanced three bogeys with four birdies and a sparkling eagle on the 9th. “It was definitely very mental out there,” she said. “I had to really concentrate on the tee shots and pick smaller targets.”
Fuenfstueck, who came through Monday’s Final Qualifier, finished strongly after early struggles on the greens. “Very pleased with how it went today… I’m just so excited to be here. Such a privilege to play at this course and in this tournament.”
Austria’s Emma Spitz also posted a 69 despite a nervous start. “My long game was really solid today – hit lots of fairways, lots of greens, and I think that’s always the key in windy conditions.”
Welsh debutant Darcey Harry delighted the home crowd with a two-under 70 at her home course. “It was really good. Jacob helped me lots out there,” she said, referring to her boyfriend and caddie, DP World Tour pro Jacob Skov Olesen. “Kept me smiling and distracted.”
Round two begins at 6.30am local time, with a host of contenders poised to challenge. The stage is set for another dramatic day at Royal Porthcawl.