Pumped galleries, rising rookies … only pundits let down Women's Open

Times

9 hours ago

Royal Porthcawl proved to be the perfect venue for the 25th edition of the AIG Women's Open as a major. Set on the stunning south Wales coastline, the R&A pulled off a hugely successful event, with a bumper attendance that totalled more than 47,000 and breaking records for broadcast audience share, digital reach and engagement.
It was wonderful to meet overseas fans who had travelled to Wales to follow their favourite players and the entertainment provided for children was exceptional. After hosting the largest women's sporting event in Wales's history, Royal Porthcawl could be in line for more significant tournaments.
Charley HullThe immensely popular Hull may have suffered another heartbreak by finishing second in a major for the fourth time, but such is her optimistic outlook on life you would not have known. Supported by huge galleries, who willed the Englishwoman to victory, she displayed grace, humour and searing honesty in equal measure after failing to chase down Miyu Yamashita. The 29-year-old's time will surely come.
Japan's successIt took most people by surprise when Japanese players filled six of the top ten places after the first round. A solid junior programme and a thriving domestic tour have produced a succession of top players. Thirteen play on the LPGA, among them Yamashita, the diminutive rookie who delivered a links golf masterclass. Japan occupied three of the final top five slots.
Mimi RhodesIn her rookie year on the Ladies European Tour, the 24-year-old from Somerset has stormed to three wins and after a decent finish of tied-19th, consolidated her position as the leading rookie. She engaged well with the crowds, impressing with her warm personality and easy smile.
Rhodes will always be remembered for her hole in one at the par-three 5th in the final round, thanks to a fortunate nudge off her partner Steph Kyriacou's ball, which was sitting inches from the hole.
Slow playThankfully, the scourge of the game failed to rear its head with players — unlike those at the Open at Royal Portrush, where rounds took up to six hours — taking well under five hours and even less at the weekend. The R&A issued official warnings as a group fell out of position and by the end of the third round had issued only one bad-time warning.
Lottie WoadAfter all the hype surrounding her first major as a professional, and coming in as favourite, Woad faced a baptism of fire. The 21-year-old from Farnham, Surrey, dealt with it, using her customary composure, although by her high standards was probably disappointed with a tied-eighth finish. The crowds were privileged to witness the arrival of golf's rising star.
Nelly KordaIt proved to be a dismal week for Nelly Korda, who has not won all season having collected six titles by May last year. Having reigned as the world No1 for 71 weeks, she has lost top billing to the talented young Thai Jeeno Thitikul. Korda was not the only one guilty of displaying a distracted air and a few more smiles would not go amiss.
Scottish declineCatriona Matthew, who won the championship in 2009, once led a formidable array of Scottish players, among them Janice Moodie, Mhairi McKay, Dale Reid and Kathryn Imrie, but this year Gemma Dryburgh was the only one in the field and missed the cut. Louise Duncan showed huge promise as an amateur, but has struggled to break through on the Ladies European Tour.
TV commentaryIt's infuriating to hear some, but not all, of the commentators constantly stating the obvious and describing what the viewers can see for themselves. Their job is to provide an insight into the difficulty of the shot, personal insights into the players or technical expertise. The adjective 'sensational' is overused, and we know it's a golf ball. Ball suffices.