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.
Related: Miyu Yamashita clings to slender lead at AIG Women’s Open
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.
View this post on Instagram
“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.
View this post on Instagram
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.
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.
View this post on Instagram
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.”
View this post on Instagram
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.
