Yamashita Shines Bright with Breakthrough Win at Royal Porthcawl
Porthcawl, Wales - Japan’s Miyu Yamashita celebrated her 24th birthday in unforgettable fashion by claiming her first major title at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, banking $1,462,500 in the process.
Yamashita, who held a slender one-shot lead going into the final round, made three birdies on the outward nine and dropped her lone shot at the 17th to close out a composed victory and become the sixth Japanese major champion.
“To win such a historic tournament in front of all these fans is such an incredible feeling,” she said. “To be part of such a moment in history is something very, very special.”
Already a 13-time winner on the LPGA of Japan Tour, Yamashita had come close to a major breakthrough earlier this season, finishing runner-up at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and tied-sixth at the same event. Her form has been building, and she credited both her father – also her coach – and her ability to adapt under pressure for the win. “I'm really happy with how I made the adjustments today to get the victory,” she said.
England’s Charley Hull, bidding for a first major, finished tied-second on nine-under alongside Japan’s Minami Katsu. Hull remained in the hunt until costly bogeys on 16 and 17. “I hit it pretty pure today,” said Hull. “It’s unfortunate, but I felt like I was very much in control of my game.”
Hull, cheered on by large crowds, now heads to the PIF London Championship. “Just looking forward to building on that from here. Another second place in a major.”
Tied in fourth at seven-under were Japan’s Rio Takeda and South Korea’s A Lim Kim, with Wei-Ling Hsu of Chinese Taipei and American Megan Khang one shot further back.
Among a strong showing from the home nations, England’s Lottie Woad finished T8 following her LET membership acceptance. “It was definitely a lot more attention, a lot more eyes on me. I feel like I handled it pretty well overall,” said the Scot winner.
Spanish amateur Paula Martin Sampedro shared eighth with Woad and Australia’s Steph Kyriacou, thanks to a back-nine birdie blitz of five in a row, capped with another at 18. Her reward: a spot in the 2026 championship. “Six-under in my eight holes and birdie on the last, truly a dream come true.”
Hole-in-one honours belonged to England’s Mimi Rhodes, who aced the par-3 5th – the second ace of the week after Kyriacou’s earlier effort. “I just picked up my tee, and I heard everyone going crazy,” said Rhodes. “Unbelievable.”
Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini finished T13, while local favourite Darcey Harry, making her debut on home soil, signed off tied-40th. “It was tough,” Harry said of the early weather. “But really nice to have two birdies on the back nine and just keep in there.”
With 47,000 spectators in attendance, it was the biggest women’s sporting event Wales has ever hosted. And it ended with a rising star from Japan stepping into history.