The AIG Women’s Open begins this week at Royal Porthcawl, with British rising star Lottie Woad emerging as the bookmakers’ favourite despite her brief professional career. The tournament, the first major golf event staged in Wales, features top players from around the world including defending champion Lydia Ko.
Woad’s rise sparks excitement among home fans
At just 21 years old, Lottie Woad has captured the imagination of golf fans and experts alike. Her remarkable recent form includes winning the Irish Open as an amateur and narrowly missing a playoff spot at the Evian Championship before turning professional. Woad then made an immediate impact by winning the Scottish Open on her professional debut last week.
Woad’s momentum has made her the first British favourite for a major since Georgia Hall’s 2018 victory, and only the second since Catriona Matthew’s triumph 16 years ago. Fellow English golfer Charley Hull praised Woad’s confidence and consistency, describing her as “a breath of fresh air for the game.” Hull, ranked 20th in the world, remains one of Britain’s top contenders despite recent health challenges that have affected her swing and preparation.
Two Welsh golfers also feature in the field: Darcey Harry, making her Women’s Open debut with boyfriend and professional golfer Jacob Skov Olesen as caddie, and Lydia Hall, a former Royal Porthcawl club champion who qualified just before the tournament began.
Leading contenders from around the globe
While Woad commands much attention, other top players are set to challenge for the title. World number one Nelly Korda, though yet to win this year, remains a strong contender. Korda finished second at last year’s Women’s Open and focuses on passion for the sport over pressure to add more major trophies.
Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul, currently ranked second worldwide and in strong form, along with Australia’s Minjee Lee, the recent Women’s PGA Championship winner, are among the favourites. Other major champions in the field include Mao Saigo from Japan, Sweden’s Maja Stark, and Grace Kim from Australia, underscoring the quality and depth of the competition.
Royal Porthcawl’s stage for a historic event
This is the first men’s or women’s major golf championship held in Wales, marking a milestone for Welsh sport. Royal Porthcawl is renowned for its challenging links course, sea views from every hole, and history of hosting prestigious tournaments such as the Amateur Championship and the Senior Open.
The course’s unique layout has been altered for the Open, switching the traditional 18th hole to the first tee to better accommodate logistics for the major. Defending champion Lydia Ko noted the challenge posed by the unpredictable coastal winds, which will test all competitors. Many players are using the early days to familiarize themselves with the course, which few have played in competitive settings.
A major moment for Welsh and British golf
BBC Sport has secured multi-year rights to broadcast the Women’s Open, offering extensive coverage across radio, digital platforms, and television to bring the event to fans nationwide. The tournament’s significance extends beyond golf, billed as Wales’s biggest women’s sporting event due to its status and global reach.
For British golf supporters, the emergence of Lottie Woad as a leading contender offers hope of ending a long wait for a homegrown major champion. Alongside established names like Charley Hull and local Welsh players, Woad’s breakthrough could inspire a new generation of golfers in the UK. With the world’s best women golfers competing on Welsh soil for the first time, the 49th Women’s Open promises to be a landmark event filled with excitement, drama, and historic significance.
