At the final round of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl, Miyu Yamashita has extended her lead to three strokes, standing at 12-under par with nine holes to play. England’s Charley Hull is pressing hard in pursuit, trailing closely at nine-under, fueled by several birdies on the front nine. The tournament is unfolding in challenging conditions, with players navigating shifting winds and testing course demands.
Charley Hull’s Persistent Chase Despite Missed Opportunities
Charley Hull has shown tenacity throughout the round despite missing some critical birdie putts. Notably, she had a chance for a third consecutive birdie early on but narrowly missed a close-range putt at the 10th hole. Hull’s recovery shots have been mixed; after a poor approach shot at the 11th, she managed a strong par save to maintain her position three strokes behind the leader. Her ability to stay near the top of the leaderboard reflects steady play and determination.
Key Moments from the Front Nine
Miyu Yamashita surprised many by hitting the front edge of the green in two shots at the ninth hole, despite being one of the shortest hitters in the field. She capitalized on this position with two solid putts to move to 12-under. Meanwhile, A Lim Kim, currently in third place at eight-under, executed a textbook par-5 ninth, sinking a 10-foot birdie putt as she aims to close the gap on the leaders. Charley Hull’s strong drive at the 10th created a prime birdie opportunity, but her putt barely veered off line, resulting in a par.
Strong Plays from Other Competitors Influence the Leaderboard
Japanese golfer Rio Takeda continues to impress, rising into a share of fifth place with a birdie at the 11th. Her reliable putting has kept her momentum steady, especially in windy conditions. Minami Katsu also made a notable move, sinking a 15-foot putt at the ninth hole to advance to seven-under and four strokes behind the lead. Meanwhile, Andrea Lee narrowly missed a birdie opportunity from 10 feet, a putt struck with too much force that gently lipped out.
Mixed Fortunes for A Lim Kim Amidst Fierce Competition
A Lim Kim fluctuated in form, bouncing back with a birdie at the eighth hole but suffering a setback by three-putting the seventh, dropping her back to six-under. This sequence has placed her four strokes off Yamashita’s lead, drawing attention to the pressure faced in the final round. Despite these challenges, Kim remains within striking distance, seeking a momentum shift on the back nine.
Notable Performances and Rising Stars
Amateur Paula Martin Sampedro made headlines by securing the Smyth Salver with a final round 67, finishing four-under overall. This performance not only rewards her with a top-10 finish but also earns a return spot at the AIG Women’s Open in 2026. Additionally, Mimi Rhodes electrified the crowd with an ace, adding excitement to the unfolding drama. These rising talents underscore the depth of competition at Royal Porthcawl.
Crucial Back Nine Battle Expected to Decide the Champion
As the players approach the final stretch, Hull has closed the gap to just one stroke after a birdie at the par-3 eighth and par-3 fifth, making three birdies in four holes. Yamashita remains composed, maintaining steady scores on key holes such as the seventh and ninth, despite the windy conditions complicating short putts. Hull’s aggressive play is set to challenge Yamashita’s lead, with a birdie likely needed to stay in contention if Yamashita continues her strong play.
The Wider Context of the AIG Women’s Open Final Round
This final day at Royal Porthcawl represents a pivotal moment in women’s golf, with Miyu Yamashita’s poised and strategic approach placing her in a commanding position, while Charley Hull’s pursuit adds an element of thrilling competition. The leaderboard’s tight grouping and presence of emerging stars like Paula Martin Sampedro illustrate the evolving landscape of the tournament. A champion will soon be crowned under these demanding conditions, making the closing holes essential to determining the ultimate winner.
“Charley Hull hasn’t made as many birdie putts as she’d like so far today, but she’ll have another chance at the 12th after drawing a lovely 9-iron in towards the flag at the par-3.”
—Golf Monthly
“Hull found the centre of the fairway at the 11th but missed the green from well inside 100 yards – it was a really poor shot. But from off the left side of the green, Hull gave herself a look at par and made it to stay within three strokes as Yamashita pars the 10th.”
—Golf Monthly
“The AIG Women’s Open leader found the front edge of the green at the ninth in two, which is surprising given she is one of the shorter hitters in the field. Nevertheless, Yamashita takes advantage of the situation by two-putting her way into the hole and reaching 12-under. She is now three strokes clear with nine holes to play…”
—Golf Monthly
“The South Korean plays the par-5 ninth in textbook style, eventually sinking her 10-foot birdie putt to move up to eight-under and in solo third.”
—Golf Monthly
“Hull can’t quite find the target and she will have to make do with a par at the 10th. Her putt was only just OK for pace, but it wiggled a touch right in terms of line.”
—Golf Monthly
“Someone who did not struggle for accuracy is Rio Takeda. The Japanese player is up into a share of fifth after another birdie at the 11th. She seems to be dialled in with putter in hand today.”
—Golf Monthly
“Congratulations to this year’s Smyth Salver winner, Paula Martin Sampedro. The Spanish amateur signed for a 67 to end on four-under, which – as it stands – will be enough for a top-10 and a return visit to the AIG Women’s Open in 2026.”
—Golf Monthly
“At the 10th, Charley Hull hammers a great drive down the middle of the fairway and is able to generate a fantastic look at birdie as a result, landing her ball just past the flag and spinning it back to inside eight feet.”
—Golf Monthly
“Minami Katsu took a while to line up her birdie putt at the ninth, but it was worth the wait as she rattled her ball into the centre of the cup from 15 feet or so. Katsu is up to seven-under and four back as she makes the turn.”
—Golf Monthly
“Her playing partner, Andrea Lee thumps her own 10-foot birdie putt but watches it lip out. That was struck too firmly, you have to feel.”
—Golf Monthly
“A Lim Kim bounces back immediately with a tidy eight-foot birdie putt at the par-3 eighth. She is up to seven-under.”
—Golf Monthly
“Also grabbing the second birdie of her final round is Miyu Yamashita, who confidently rolls home from five feet at most. The Japanese player is up to 11-under while Hull – who misses her birdie putt from 15 feet – stays at nine-under.”
—Golf Monthly
“Yamashita could be about to move two strokes clear as she fires an absolute dart just to the left of the hole at the par-3 eighth. A Lim Kim is also in tight, with the Korean in desperate need of a switch in momentum.”
—Golf Monthly
“Not far ahead, Hull slings a hybrid around from right to left at the ninth and will have a 50-yard pitch shot for her third at the par-5 hole. A birdie might be required if Yamashita holes out, as she is expected to, in order to maintain that one-stroke gap.”
—Golf Monthly
“Yamashita knocks her par putt in at the seventh to remain at 10-under as Rio Takeda misses her close birdie putt at the ninth. Given the wind out there today, the shorter putts are certainly not a given.”
—Golf Monthly
“There does often seem to be one player in the final group or groups who suffers something of a disaster in the fourth round, and that appears as though it will be A Lim Kim. The Korean three putts the seventh to fall back to six-under – that’s four strokes off the leader, Yamashita.”
—Golf Monthly
“Further down the par-5 ninth than Hull, Rio Takeda faces an awkward bunker shot into the wind. However, she produces a brilliant strike to fly it all the way and spin her ball back past the hole. That should be a comfortable birdie for the Japanese pro.”
—Golf Monthly
“The gap from Hull to Yamashita is now just one stroke as the English chaser begins the ninth. Hull has just birdied the par-3 eighth – adding to a gain at the par-3 fifth – to make it three birdies in four holes.”
—Golf Monthly
“Hello and welcome to Golf Monthly’s coverage of the AIG Women’s Open final round at Royal Porthcawl.”
—Golf Monthly
“Japan’s Miyu Yamashita has extended her one-stroke lead to two since today’s action began and is currently on 10-under, with her closest challenger no longer playing partner, A Lim Kim but England’s Charley Hull on eight-under.”
—Golf Monthly
“Away from the leaders, we’ve also had an ace from Mimi Rhodes and amateur star, Paula Martin Sampedro is making her presence known inside the top-10.”
—Golf Monthly
“Thank you for joining me. I’ll bring you all of the key updates as they happen until a champion is crowned in blustery conditions later on today!”
—Golf Monthly