Prime Highlights
- Miyu Yamashita is declared a Rolex First-Time Winner following success at the 2025 AIG Women’s Open.
- Japanese golfer fended off a fighting last-day challenge from Charley Hull to post a two-shot victory.
Key Facts
- Final winning score: 11-under par at Royal Porthcawl.
- Charley Hull and Minami Katsu tied for second on 9-under.
Key Background
Japan’s new star Miyu Yamashita created a calm and brilliant display to claim the 2025 AIG Women’s Open title and register her first LPGA major victory. The 24-year-old played with maturity far in excess of her years as she closed at 11-under par after four rounds around the challenging links of Royal Porthcawl. Her win not only is her first LPGA Tour victory but also makes her a Rolex First-Time Winner — an honor reserved for major championship winners in their initial victory.
Yamashita’s path to doing precisely that has been anything if not exceptional. A dominating force on the Japan LPGA Tour, she accumulated 13 wins and swept the 2022 and 2023 money list. She gained her LPGA card in 2024 at Final Qualifying and did not bat an eyelash leaving her mark on the world circuit indelibly. Her steady ball-striking as well as even temperament were demonstrated week in and week out, but especially in the final round when she registered a safe 70, capped by vital par rescues and few errors.
Charley Hull, who had a raucous home crowd of miscreants in attendance, launched a fighting finish with five birdies to close the gap to a single stroke. But she squandered the opportunity and destroyed any hope of winning her first major as she bogeyed 16 and 17. However, she was left tied for second with Japan’s Minami Katsu.
This is a historical victory for Yamashita who is the newest Japanese woman to put her name on the increasing list of Japanese women as golfers to watch for in international golf. She joins an elite club of Japanese major champions, riding on the back of momentum created by the likes of Hinako Shibuno. The victory is not just personal but is a turning point in the reputation of Asia in golf.
