Latest news with #WomensOpen
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Women's Open 2025 Round 1: What to know as Japan dominates the leaderboard
PORTHCAWL, WALES – It was both rain and shine on the first day of the Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl. Luckily for the 144-strong field, there was more sunshine than rain showers as they competed for a pot of gold, which has gotten bigger this year. Whoever can tame what is already proving to be a wild and windy course will now take home an improved paycheck of $1.46 million, a 15 per cent share of the $9.75 million prize purse. It was a robust showing for Japan on Thursday, with three Japanese players on top and six in the top 13 at the end of play. Eri Okayama was the first player into the clubhouse after registering a round of 67 to put herself 5-under-par. Rio Takeda, who co-led the first round of the U.S. Open in May, had a double bogey at nine but still ended the day tied for first, with a birdie at the last putting her next to Okayama. Women's Open debutant Shiho Kuwaki (-3) kicked things off as the initial clubhouse leader. The 22-year-old smiled her way around the course and said the atmosphere helped her play with joy. There aren't many live scoreboards dotted around the course, but the Japanese contingent inspired each other when catching sight of the red and white flags, which resembled a bullet-point list by the end of play. 'The weather was good so I think that helped me out,' Chisato Iwai, who is among the pack tied for fourth, two shots back of the leaders. 'I also looked at the leaderboard and saw that Japanese runners were at the top so I decided to do my best too.' Chevron Championship winner Mao Saigo is also at 3-under, as is Miyu Yamashita. Crowds follow the stars The trio who attracted the biggest crowd to the first hole as they took to the tee box just before 1pm were defending champions Lydia Ko, 2023 winner Lilia Vu and the golfer everyone is talking about, Lottie Woad, fresh from her Scottish Open victory last weekend. The group got off to a collectively fast start by each producing a birdie at the first time of asking but all eventually finished above par. With 50 players under or at even par after the first round, the three will need to go lower on Friday to make the cut. The top 65 and ties will play the weekend at Royal Porthcawl. Trouble for Charley Hull The first four holes can be brutal and caught a few off guard. Perhaps British fan favourite Charley Hull's scorecard (1-over) summed up the trials and tribulations golfers endure on the course stowed along Rest Bay. Hull, 29, is chasing what would be a maiden major win. After she double bogeyed the second and was one shot over on the third, it looked like it could be a long day looking out to the Celtic Sea. But she rallied and just like the afternoon rain which sprinkled over the greens, so too did her birdie run on the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes to bring her into early contention. Hull, who fainted and withdrew from the Evian Championship on the first day, struggled to hold her form when arriving on the back nine. Bogeys on holes Nos. 14-17 followed, before a birdie at 18. Shot of the day Yamashita stepped up to the par-3 5th, playing from 212 yards out and had one of just six birdies on the day at the hole. But what made it the shot of the day was just how close she was to an ace. No repeat for past champ Sophia Popov was ranked 304th in the world when she shocked everyone to win the championship at Royal Troon in 2020. But there will be no repeat of her heroics in Scotland here in Wales. Not helped by a triple bogey on the 16th, Popov, who was the first golfer to tee off at 6.30 a.m., sits bottom of the leaderboard at 10-over-par. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Golf, Women's Golf 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Women's Open 2025 Round 1: What to know as Japan dominates the leaderboard
PORTHCAWL, WALES – It was both rain and shine on the first day of the Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl. Luckily for the 144-strong field, there was more sunshine than rain showers as they competed for a pot of gold, which has gotten bigger this year. Whoever can tame what is already proving to be a wild and windy course will now take home an improved paycheck of $1.46 million, a 15 per cent share of the $9.75 million prize purse. Advertisement It was a robust showing for Japan on Thursday, with three Japanese players on top and six in the top 13 at the end of play. Eri Okayama was the first player into the clubhouse after registering a round of 67 to put herself 5-under-par. Rio Takeda, who co-led the first round of the U.S. Open in May, had a double bogey at nine but still ended the day tied for first, with a birdie at the last putting her next to Okayama. Women's Open debutant Shiho Kuwaki (-3) kicked things off as the initial clubhouse leader. The 22-year-old smiled her way around the course and said the atmosphere helped her play with joy. There aren't many live scoreboards dotted around the course, but the Japanese contingent inspired each other when catching sight of the red and white flags, which resembled a bullet-point list by the end of play. 'The weather was good so I think that helped me out,' Chisato Iwai, who is among the pack tied for fourth, two shots back of the leaders. 'I also looked at the leaderboard and saw that Japanese runners were at the top so I decided to do my best too.' Chevron Championship winner Mao Saigo is also at 3-under, as is Miyu Yamashita. The trio who attracted the biggest crowd to the first hole as they took to the tee box just before 1pm were defending champions Lydia Ko, 2023 winner Lilia Vu and the golfer everyone is talking about, Lottie Woad, fresh from her Scottish Open victory last weekend. The group got off to a collectively fast start by each producing a birdie at the first time of asking but all eventually finished above par. With 50 players under or at even par after the first round, the three will need to go lower on Friday to make the cut. The top 65 and ties will play the weekend at Royal Porthcawl. The first four holes can be brutal and caught a few off guard. Perhaps British fan favourite Charley Hull's scorecard (1-over) summed up the trials and tribulations golfers endure on the course stowed along Rest Bay. Advertisement Hull, 29, is chasing what would be a maiden major win. After she double bogeyed the second and was one shot over on the third, it looked like it could be a long day looking out to the Celtic Sea. But she rallied and just like the afternoon rain which sprinkled over the greens, so too did her birdie run on the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes to bring her into early contention. Hull, who fainted and withdrew from the Evian Championship on the first day, struggled to hold her form when arriving on the back nine. Bogeys on holes Nos. 14-17 followed, before a birdie at 18. Yamashita stepped up to the par-3 5th, playing from 212 yards out and had one of just six birdies on the day at the hole. But what made it the shot of the day was just how close she was to an ace. Miyu Yamashita with the AIG Shot of the Day on the 5th hole. — AIG Women's Open (@AIGWomensOpen) July 31, 2025 Sophia Popov was ranked 304th in the world when she shocked everyone to win the championship at Royal Troon in 2020. But there will be no repeat of her heroics in Scotland here in Wales. Not helped by a triple bogey on the 16th, Popov, who was the first golfer to tee off at 6.30 a.m., sits bottom of the leaderboard at 10-over-par. (Top photo of Eri Okayama: Warren Little / Getty Images)
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Lottie Woad off the pace at Women's Open but second round too early for TV
It might even have been a relief to the organisers of this Women's Open that, as shadows lengthened, Lottie Woad did not blast her way towards the front of the queue. Woad may well be the name on everyone's lips but, on day two, she will barely feature on anybody's screens. Perhaps it is a sign of this major's rapid growth that everyone wants more. Nonetheless, fans will find it unsatisfactory that, with daily television coverage beginning at noon, Woad – plus Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko – will play the vast majority of her second round minus the eyeballs of anyone not in attendance at Royal Porthcawl. This is now a recurring theme after Leona Maguire took to social media to point out her hole in one at the recent Evian Championship was not caught on camera. Woad begins day two at 8.09am, with Ko for company and Korda two groups behind. Sky Sports, which screens the Women's Open in the UK, has a partnership with the R&A which it understandably will not compromise by criticising this tournament's officials. Insiders at the broadcaster insist they would be keen on extended live hours from next year. For that to happen, the R&A would need to bestow significant funds on European Tour Productions, which provides a world feed for television companies to use. At Porthcawl, that coverage begins at 12 o'clock. The R&A did increase the prize fund for 2025 by $250,000 (£190,000) and player facilities are a notable upgrade on the vast majority of women's golf events; but what of seeing it to be it? The men's Open coverage at Royal Portrush two weeks ago began at 6.30am on Thursday and Friday. In the toughest of Thursday's conditions Woad signed for a level-par 72. The highlight of the 21-year-old's day was a birdie putt from off the green at the 6th. Another birdie, at the last, ensured she sits five from the lead. 'It was OK, a bit mixed,' Woad said. 'It was one of those rounds that could definitely have got away from me so I am happy with the way I hung in there.' Mimi Rhodes has won three times on this year's Ladies European Tour, a matter that has been somewhat lost in fevered excitement over Woad. Rhodes served the latest notice of her ability with a 69 and can be added to the Friday morning blackout list. Ko's title defence began with a one-over-par 73. The New Zealander was harmed by a birdie-free back nine of 38. Korda's 70 felt notable. The world No 1 tied second in this event last year. Wales's Darcey Harry and the Australian Minjee Lee were among those to match Korda's score. Japanese golfers otherwise dominate the early leaderboard. Eri Okayama and Rio Takeda posted matching 67s to head the field. Miyu Yamashita is one adrift, with the three under group including Shiho Kuwaki, Mao Saigo and Chisato Iwai. Georgia Hall is minus one. The former champion has her fiance, Paul Dunne, on the bag. A decade ago, Dunne led the Open Championship at St Andrews before injury and loss of form took hold. 'That's more a question for him I think,' said Hall when asked if Dunne will return to competitive golf. 'Obviously right now he's not playing and he's just kind of supporting me, which I am very grateful for. He's a very good player. He doesn't give himself enough credit. Obviously I'm not complaining, I feel very lucky to have him with me.'
Irish Times
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Georgia Hall says she feels ‘very lucky' to have fiancé Paul Dunne as caddie for Women's Open
It might even have been a relief to the organisers of this Women's Open that, as shadows lengthened, Lottie Woad did not blast her way towards the front of the queue. Woad may well be the name on everyone's lips but, on day two, she will barely feature on anybody's screens. Perhaps it is sign of this Major's rapid growth that everyone wants more. Nonetheless, fans will find it unsatisfactory that, with daily television coverage only beginning at midday, Woad – plus Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko – will play the vast majority of her second round minus the eyeballs of anyone not in attendance at Royal Porthcawl, as they tee off at 8.09am. This is now a recurring theme after Leona Maguire took to social media to point out her hole in one at the recent Evian Championship was not caught on camera. Maguire finished even par for the day after an up-and-down round with four birdies and four bogeys. She is tied 51st, but is only five shots off the lead of Eri Okayama and Rio Takeda in a bunched leaderboard, and her 72 was matched by fellow Irishwoman Lauren Walsh. Meanwhile, Anna Foster struggled to a four-over-par 76. READ MORE Leona Maguire of Ireland looks on on the second green during the first round at Royal Porthcawl. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Georgia Hall is one under. The former champion has her fiancé Paul Dunne on the bag. A decade ago, Dunne led the Open Championship at St Andrews before injury and loss of form took hold. 'That's more a question for him I think,' said Hall when asked if Dunne will return to competitive golf. 'Obviously right now he's not playing and he's just kind of supporting me which I am very grateful for. He's a very good player. He doesn't give himself enough credit. Obviously I'm not complaining, I feel very lucky to have him with me.' Sky Sports, who screen the Women's Open in the UK, have a partnership with the R&A which they understandably will not compromise by criticising this tournament's officials. Insiders at the broadcaster insist they would be keen on extended live hours from next year. For that to happen, the R&A would need to bestow significant funds on European Tour Productions, who provide a world feed for television companies to use. At Porthcawl, that coverage only begins at 12 o'clock. The R&A did increase the prize fund for 2025 by $250,000 and player facilities are a notable upgrade on the vast majority of women's golf events; but what of seeing it to be it? The men's Open coverage at Royal Portrush recently began at 6:30am on Thursday and Friday. The coverage should at least include Maguire, who is out at 12.43pm. In the toughest of Thursday's conditions, Woad signed for a level par 72. The highlight of the 21-year-old's day at work was a converted birdie putt from off the green at the 6th. Another birdie, at the last, ensured she sits five from the lead. 'It was okay, a bit mixed,' Woad said. 'It was one of those rounds that could definitely have got away with me so I am happy with the way I hung in there.' Mimi Rhodes has won three times already on this year's Ladies European Tour, a matter that has been somewhat lost in fevered excitement over Woad. Rhodes served the latest notice of her ability with a 69. Rhodes can be added to the Friday morning blackout list, alas. Ko's title defence began with a one over par 73. The New Zealander was harmed by a birdie-free back nine of 38. Korda's 70 felt notable. The world No 1 tied second in this event last year. Wales's Darcey Harry and the Australian Minjee Lee were among those to match Korda's score. The Japanese otherwise dominate the early leaderboard. Okayama and Takeda posted matching 67s to head the field. Miyu Yamashita is one adrift, with the three under group including Shiho Kuwaki, Mao Saigo and Chisato Iwai. All of those players hail from Japan. - Guardian
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Celebrating Wales' summer of women's sport
We have been treated to an amazing start to the incredible year in Welsh women's sport, with the Cymru Women's team reaching the Euros, their first ever major tournament. I don't know if you have watched the documentary on iPlayer but their journey from playing Germany in a field in Haverfordwest with their audience in the tens and a few horses, to their qualification for their first major tournament with some amazing women in Laura McAllister, Jayne Ludlow and Lowri Roberts (and of course Jess Fishlock!) helping them to rise from the point of not having a women's team at all, to competing at the highest level of international football. It has been a huge rush to see the mass of Wal Goch supporters in red taking to the streets in Switzerland and the excitement making no distinction between the gender of the players. READ MORE: Rassie Erasmus wades into Jac Morgan debate and gives surprise response READ MORE: Ex-Wallaby coach pays Jac Morgan huge compliment and names Lion who has been the difference Now, so excitingly, we welcome the Women's Open to Royal Porthcawl from July 30 to August 2. Darcey Harry from Dinas Powys, who last month won her first Ladies European Tour in the Hulencourt Women's Open in Belgium, will take to her home course against 143 others at the 49th open here in Wales. It is the first time the competition has been held on Welsh soil and for us all to have the opportunity to watch golfers from all over the world in our own backyard. Just weeks beyond this, the women's Rugby World Cup is to be held just over the bridge in England. Tickets are still available for many of the matches in Bristol and the huge competition will see Wales take on Scotland in the Salford Community stadium on the second day of the tournament. Only last week, we held an event with Glamorgan Cricket, as the women played Kent in a T20 fixture ahead of the men's. The women's team turning professional as the country's first-class cricket team marks a major investment into women's cricket at this level, and we know they're passionate about the youth teams too. The next challenge is how we ensure this focus lasts beyond the excitement of this summer of sport. As Cymru women's head coach Rhian Wilkinson has said recently, her talented international side needs playing time throughout the year at club level. Five of the squad were unattached at the time of the tournament. A player can be fabulous but if they aren't getting the time on the pitch throughout the year our side will not see the growth of the current players or the next generation. And so as we celebrate our national sides and the focus on the huge summer of women's sport in Wales and beyond, my caution is to not forget the need to invest and focus on women's sport the rest of the year and remember that we still have a need to develop sport for our young girls moving forward, particularly at the community level. We updated the Wikipedia pages of the Wales Squad before the Ewros and one story was repeated time and again, even with the youngest players: the brilliance of the girls shone out in the local clubs and then many of them had to stop playing in their area because there weren't girls clubs available for them to move into in their older years. If we want international success on the world stage, we must invest in our women and girls in the community.
