The 24-year-old from Japan stayed steady under pressure to fend off Charley Hull’s thrilling final-round surge and earn her first major championship.
Miyu Yamashita claimed her first career major in stunning fashion, holding off a fierce final-round charge from Charley Hull to win the 2025 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl.
The 24-year-old from Osaka, Japan, celebrated her birthday on Saturday and gave herself the ultimate belated gift — a closing round of 70 to finish two shots clear of the field and lift the trophy.
“This has been a goal of mine, something I’ve worked towards my whole life,” said an emotional Yamashita. “A dream, you could say. 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 a very special thing.”
Yamashita became the third Japanese player to win the AIG Women’s Open, joining Ayako Okamoto and Hinako Shibuno, and extended the streak of unique champions to 14 consecutive years.
The Hull Charge
Hull, roared on by huge crowds, nearly wrote one of the greatest comeback stories in major championship history. Trailing by 11 shots at the halfway point, she produced a flawless front nine and rolled in five birdies, getting within a single shot of the lead.
“I felt so in control of my game today,” said Hull. “I didn’t mis-hit anything. I hit it pretty pure. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d even make the cut after how I felt coming into the week, so I’m pretty proud of myself.”
She added, “I felt goosebumps when I holed that birdie putt on 14. The crowd was amazing. That adrenaline… it’s like a massive hit.”
However, back-to-back bogeys at 16 and 17 halted her charge. A fairway bunker at 16 and a missed birdie opportunity on the tough 17th left her two short, despite a brilliant chip over the bunker at 18 to salvage par.
Yamashita Holds Her Nerve
Yamashita led from Friday morning and refused to relinquish control. A key moment came at the par-3 8th, where she rolled in a five-foot birdie putt moments after Hull had drained a long one two holes ahead. Another birdie at 9 re-established a commanding three-shot cushion.
“Yesterday I didn’t quite have my best stuff,” she admitted. “I spoke to my father, who’s my coach, and we looked through some things in my swing. Today it felt a lot better from the get-go.”
She saved a vital par with a 15-footer on 13, and despite a bogey at 17, she approached the final hole knowing bogey or better would seal the title. She calmly made par on the par-5 18th, sparking tears and jubilant champagne celebrations from fellow Japanese players.
“It was amazing for them to stay and celebrate with me. I really appreciate it,” she said. “To have so many Japanese players doing well provides motivation, and I hope we can continue supporting each other.”
Minami Katsu continued the Japanese celebration by tying Hull for second place. She capped her week with a 69 and drained a series of lengthy putts, including birdies on 9, 11, and 18 to secure her best finish in a major.
Honourable Mentions
Mimi Rhodes recorded a magical hole-in-one on the 5th after her ball deflected off playing partner Steph Kyriacou’s and rolled into the cup. “I wasn’t expecting it to go in… I had no idea it hit Steph’s ball until I just saw the video, so that’s unbelievable,” said the 24-year-old.
Spain’s Paula Martin Sampedro claimed the Smyth Salver as the leading amateur, shooting a stunning 68 on Sunday, including six birdies in eight holes to finish inside the top 10.
Closing Thoughts
Hull, though disappointed, put her week into perspective: “At the end of the day, it’s just a game. I really enjoyed it out there… I felt proud of the way I played.”
For Yamashita, the fairways of Royal Porthcawl are now part of her story — a place where a lifelong dream was finally realised.
Full Leaderboard AIG Women’s Open 2025
