World's best golfers arrive in Wales for huge event and a Welsh test like no other

World golf’s big guns are looking forward to testing themselves on the Porthcawl coast as the AIG Women’s Open comes to Wales for the first time.

The biggest female sporting event ever held in Wales will see world No 1 Nelly Korda, defending champion Lydia Ko and bookies favourite Lottie Woad teeing it up in the final golf Major of the season.

All three are looking forward to the challenge on the Welsh links course when the event starts on Thursday.

“New week, new golf course, new conditions,” was the verdict of American Korda, the current world No 1.

“The first four holes are beautiful. The views from the golf course are absolutely breathtaking, but you can definitely tell that, when the wind kind of picks up here, it’s going to be a really, really hard test.

“It’s really pretty. I think everything depends on the wind and the weather that we get, like kind of every Open Championship. I think it’s going to be a great test.

“Our first hole of the tournament having that view with the water in the background, kind of a blind tee shot in a sense, it looks like the end of the world there.

“I feel like it’s maybe a little bit more demanding off the tee, compared with other links courses, you can hit driver and there are some bunkers in the way, but here you definitely can’t hit driver.

“Once you’re in one of those bunkers, like in all links golf courses, it’s just a pitch-out. So it’s going to be very demanding off the tee and making sure that you’re in good spots going into the greens.”

England’s Lottie Woad has had an amazing few weeks, winning the KPMG Women’s Irish Open and finishing one shot behind at the Evian Championship, then winning the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open in her first event after turning professional.

Her superb form has meant the former Welsh Women’s Open Amateur champion has been installed as the bookies favourite.

“I think it will be a really good test,” said the 21-year-old. “Weather is always a factor in links golf. A lot of holes, par is a good score, and then you’ve got to take a chance on the par-5s really.

“I played the course a month or so ago, it’s nice to see the start lines before you get here. There are a few holes that are kind of blindish. You’re aiming over the gorge and you don’t think that’s right, but it actually is the right line.

“It’s nice to know that before the practice round. Although it was a little softer when I played it, but not too different.”

New Zealander Ko is the defending champion after winning in St Andrew’s last year and will be playing the first two rounds alongside Woad in a star-studded grouping.

“It’s my first time to Wales. I’m just trying to get used to it here and kind of learn the culture a little bit, but it’s been fun,” she said.

“The only thing that I knew outside of the flag was that there were words that had very little vowels, some words that just look like a bunch of consonants. This might be one of the most difficult languages I’ve ever heard.

“I’ve heard there are a lot of sheep here in Wales, and that’s what New Zealand is very known for. So it feels somewhat like home. The people have been very welcoming and nice. I haven’t been fully exposed to that Welsh culture, but I love it.

“I think this is the biggest women’s sporting event in Wales. Hopefully that draws a lot of crowds out here. I think the last time there was a championship here was for the Men’s Senior Open, and I heard the weather was pretty brutal. Hopefully with some nicer weather in the forecast, we have tons of spectators.

“I think that’s probably one of the best things about this event, the people that normally come out and participate love the game and just so passionate. Whether it is raining or blowing 30 miles an hour, they’re here with us. I’m hoping that with this being the first time, it would draw a lot of attention.

“But I would rather it be tough than be calm. As much as I love sunny weather, when I’m coming to play the Women’s Open, I expect it to be rainy, windy, and that’s what I’ve gotten to really enjoy about this Championship.”

The AIG Women’s Open will be played at Royal Porthcawl from 30 July – 3 August 2025. Tickets to watch the world’s best golfers in action are available to purchase from £45 at aigwomensopen.com with children under 16-years-of-age free when accompanied by a paying adult.

For more information about the AIG Women’s Open, please visit www.aigwomensopen.com.

World’s best golfers arrive in Wales for huge event and a Welsh test like no other

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