Latest news with #AIGWomensOpen
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
One American, 16-year-old Canadian among AIG Women's Open qualifiers
AIG Women's Open final qualifying began Monday morning with 107 players vying for berths into the year's final major, which starts Thursday at Royal Porthcawl. It ended with 17 players qualifying. Canada's Anna Huang led the way as medalist in the 18-hole qualifier at Pyle and Kenfig Golf Club, a Harry Colt design that is located about a mile from this week's Open site in Wales. Huang, who is just 16 years old and the youngest member of the Ladies European Tour, shot 4-under 67. This will be her second major of the year, following the U.S. Women's Open, where she missed the cut. 'I'm delighted with my score,' Huang said. 'On the front nine, I just stayed really patient, I didn't miss any fairways and the putts were dropping. I don't play links golf, so it took a couple of practice rounds to get used to it, but I think I handled it pretty well. I played in the U.S. Open this year so this will be my second major championship. I learned a lot from that week and bringing more patience into this week will be really helpful.' Ireland's Anna Foster, who played college golf at Auburn, and Thailand's Arpichaya Yubol tied for second at 3 under. Florida State alum Morgane Metraux was among four players to tie for fourth at 2 under, and her twin sister, Kim, was first reserve at even par. Brianna Do was the lone American to qualify. The 35-year-old former U.S. Women's Public Links champion has made the cut in two majors already this year, the KPMG Women's PGA and Evian Championship. She had missed 11 of 12 career major cuts prior to this year. Do's 1-under 70 included a 45-foot eagle make on her ninth hole. 'It was nice to get an early tee time, so the wind was calm for a lot of my round,' Do said. Five other Americans did not qualify, including 2017 Women's PGA champion Danielle Kang, who shot 73, and Louisville product Lauren Hartlage, a final qualifier last year who carded 71 but missed out reserve status in a playoff. Also qualifying at 1 under was a group that included Stanford alum Aline Krauter, who qualified for and tied for 28th at this year's U.S. Women's Open despite being penalized for slow play in her qualifier, and current Cardinal standout Meja Ortengren, an amateur from Sweden. Another Swede, former Arizona State player Linnea Strom, birdied her final hole to shoot 70 and move the cut line, ensuring no playoff for the 17 qualifying spots. For the full list of qualifiers and results, click here.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Harry relishes home Open - with boyfriend Olesen as caddy
AIG Women's Open Venue: Royal Porthcawl, Wales Date: 31 July - 3 August BBC coverage: Live radio and text commentary across all four days of the championship Darcey Harry was at Royal Portrush earlier this month, cheering on boyfriend Jacob Skov Olesen as he shared the lead after round one of the men's Open Championship. This week it will be Olesen in the supporting role as rising Welsh golf star Harry makes her AIG Women's Open debut at Royal Porthcawl. But Olesen will not be backing Harry, 22, from behind the ropes. The Dane is to caddy for his partner, just as he did when the Ladies European Tour (LET) rookie claimed a memorable victory at Belgium's Hulencourt Women's Open in June. "Originally I was going to caddie for myself for a little bit, but then my boyfriend had an off-week that week [in Belgium] so I said 'ooh you can come and push my bag'," Harry explains. "The first time he caddied for me we won, so that was a really nice moment to share with him. "I think I learned a lot from him being on my bag. I don't think I would have been able to do it without him." The hope is that Olesen's presence will bring more success as Harry plays just the second major of her fledgling career this week at the course she calls home. Like Harry, Olesen is in his rookie year on tour having turned professional after coming through qualifying school. He made quite a splash at the Open, shooting 67 on Thursday to reach the top of the leaderboard. Though he fell away in round two, Olesen made the cut and ended up 68th, which was a creditable return in what was just the second major of the 26-year-old's career. Now it is Harry preparing for her second major appearance having debuted at the Evian Championship earlier this month. She missed the cut in France in what was her first time competing alongside the best players women's golf has to offer. But Harry is back home in positive mood after an encouraging display at last week's Scottish Open, where she finished tied-38th in what was another high-class field. "I am so excited," Harry says. "I just can't really believe that I am going to be playing [in the Women's Open at Porthcawl]. I can't really put into words how much I am looking forward to it." Women's Open a 'massive step' for Wales - Bale Hall eyes more success in Wales at Women's Open 'I don't train for golf, I train to keep my body and mind fit' Knowing the course - and 'where not go' A gap in Olesen's schedule saw him parachuted in to carry Harry's bag in Belgium, when a final round of 68 saw her win by three shots – and book her place in Porthcawl in the process. There was further success for the Harry-Olesen combination at the Czech Ladies Open the following week, where Harry finished tied-fourth. Harry says Olesen's "knowledge" of different shots has given her "such an advantage" when they have worked together. The truth is that this week at least, she will need little help when it comes to mapping her way around the course. Harry has been a member at Royal Porthcawl since she was in her mid-teens and has played the links hundreds of times. "I wouldn't say there will be a huge advantage, but I will know some of the lines and I'll know where not to go," she says. "But we are talking about the world's best coming to play here, so they will learn the course in one or two days." 'A lot of concentration and a lot of nerves' Harry has never played Royal Porthcawl with fairways and greens lined with the sort of crowds expected on the south Wales coastline this week. Welsh golf fans are crying out for some success in either the women's or men's games, and there are high hopes for Harry given her impressive start to life on the LET. Harry, Wales' highest-ranked golfer at 221st in the world, will stay at home in Dinas Powys this week, and is looking forward to "some food cooked by mum and dad and having all my washing done". While she plans to "give a wave" to the many friends and family members who are likely to be in the galleries this week, Harry says focus will be key to her prospects of competing. "I have got to treat it like every other week, try to be in my own zone and try not to get distracted by other things," says Harry. "There will be a lot of concentration because there will be a lot of nerves. "I definitely think if I play my best golf, then I will have a chance to hopefully climb up the leaderboard."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales' Hall secures spot at Women's Open
AIG Women's OpenVenue: Royal Porthcawl, Wales Date: 31 July - 3 AugustBBC coverage: Live radio and text commentary across all four days of the championship Wales will have a second representative in the field at the AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl after Lydia Hall came through final qualifying on from Bridgend, joins fellow Welshwoman Darcey Harry in securing a place at golf's final major of the 37-year-old shot a one-under-par round of 70 at Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club to claim one of 17 qualifying spots which were up for Huang, Anna Foster, Arpichaya Yubol, Hira Naveed, Soo Bin Joo, Morgane Metraux, Alessandra Fanali, Brianna Do, Olivia Cowan, Pei-yun Chien, Momoka Kobori, Aline Krauter, Laura Fuenfstueck, Meja Ortengren, Marta Martin and Linnea Strom also secured qualification.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LPGA Tour Enters Pivotal Three-Week European Stretch
LPGA Tour Enters Pivotal Three-Week European Stretch originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The LPGA Tour embarks on one of its most demanding three-week stretches of the season this week with two major championships and the Scottish Open sandwiched in between, rounding out the month. Advertisement The gauntlet begins Thursday at Evian Resort Golf Club in France, where the world's best female golfers will compete for the Amundi Evian Championship, the season's fourth major. The following week, players cross the English Channel to Scotland for the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links before concluding the marathon at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales for the AIG Women's Open, the fifth and final major of 2025. This European swing is about much more than just hopping among countries. With $19 million in prize money up for grabs and two majors on the line, the next three weeks could completely shake up the season's biggest storylines and crown this year's most important champions. The Evian Championship kicks things off, bringing an $8 million purse and $1.2 million winner's check to the stunning course overlooking Lake Geneva. Defending champion Ayaka Furue heads back to the place where she claimed her first major last July, closing with a 65 to edge Stephanie Kyriacou by one shot. The Evian Championship has been through quite a journey since joining the majors in 2013. It started as a September finale before moving to July in 2019, and the course got a major makeover with an $8 million renovation in 2012-13. Advertisement Next up is the Scottish Open, the middle chapter of this European adventure. Dundonald Links hosts for the fourth time since 2017, offering $2 million in prize money with $300,000 going to the winner. More importantly, it gives players a crucial chance to get comfortable with links golf before the final major. Lauren Coughlin captured last year's Scottish Open title at Dundonald, earning her first LPGA victory with a four-stroke win over Esther Henseleit. The American's breakthrough came during a season where she also claimed her first major at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. The crescendo arrives at Royal Porthcawl, which will host the AIG Women's Open for the first time. The Welsh venue has a distinguished history, having staged the Senior Open Championship three times and The Amateur Championship on seven occasions. The club received royal designation from King Edward VII in 1909 and has long been considered one of Britain's finest coastal courses. Royal Porthcawl's debut as a Women's Open host marks a big moment for the championship, which has been steadily adding new venues beyond the traditional Open Championship rotation. The Welsh course can stretch out to as much as 7,137 yards and plays to a par-72. Coastal winds and firm conditions will test every part of the players' games. Advertisement Last year's champion, Lydia Ko, who has one win so far this season, along with two other top 10 finishes, looks to repeat and capture the $1.35 million winner's share of the $9 million total purse. This season has seen Jeeno Thitikul headline through the midway point. She has one win and seven top-10s in 12 starts. Thitikul leads the Race to the CME Globe with a 206-point lead over Minjee Lee and a 407-point lead over Rio Takeda in the third spot. Nelly Korda, who retains her place as the No. 1 player in the world, has yet to win an event this season. In 10 starts, she has four top-10s and, despite being winless in 2025, always enters events as a favorite. Nelly sits in the seventh spot in the Race to the CME Globe, currently 578 points back of Thitikul. Advertisement The European stretch also gives international players a chance to shine closer to home. England's Charley Hull and Georgia Hall will have plenty of support at Royal Porthcawl, while France's Celine Boutier — who swept both the Evian Championship and Scottish Open in 2023 — knows exactly what it takes to succeed in this environment. As the LPGA Tour heads into this defining stretch, one thing is certain: The next three weeks will deliver drama and surprises, and will likely determine who emerges as the tour's biggest stars heading into the season's final months. Related: A True American Story: LPGA Celebrates 75 Years Related: World's No. 1 LPGA Golfer Sends Clear Message Ahead of Final Round of ShopRite Classic This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
