Wales welcomes the best in women’s golf for the season’s final major championship, the AIG Women’s Open. With this tournament being staged for the first time in Wales, it is being billed as the largest women’s sporting event to have ever been held in the area, which only further adds to the anticipation that is building for the women’s visit to Royal Porthcawl Golf Club. Here’s a deeper dive into what you need to know about what’s on the line and who is in the field competing for a share of the $9.5 million purse at the fifth and final major of the 2025 LPGA Tour season.

The Venue

Royal Porthcawl Golf Club hosts the AIG Women’s Open for the first time this week. The links course was designed by Ramsay Hunter, who also laid out Royal St. Georges, and opened in 1898. The 18-hole layout was the first of its kind in Wales and was the second course to receive the distinction of being considered ‘Royal.’ Royal Porthcawl is known for having views of the Bristol Channel from every hole and has previously hosted the Walker Cup, Curtis Cup, the Amateur Championship, the British Masters and The Senior Open.

The Field

Lottie Woad comes to the AIG Women’s Open as one of the hottest players in the women’s game. On Sunday, Woad won in her professional debut on the LPGA Tour at the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish with an impressive three-stroke victory. The win is just the latest in a string of successes for the Tour’s newest member, as she finished in a tie for third in her last start at The Amundi Evian Championship, where she earned Tour status via the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway. Ahead of the trip to Evian, Woad won on the Ladies European Tour at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open after securing commanding six-stroke victory to earn her first title in a professional event. At the 2024 AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews, Woad was the low amateur for the week and took home the Smyth Salver award for her achievement.

Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 1 Nelly Korda finished fifth to Woad at the Women’s Scottish Open, where she made her tournament debut in preparation for the season’s final major. Korda finished in a share of second at the 2024 AIG Women’s Open along with Ruoning Yin, Lilia Vu and Jiyai Shin, all of whom are back in the field this year with Korda. Yin comes into the major championship with three top fives so far in 2025. Shin has five top 10s of her own on the JLPGA and TLPGA, in addition to a victory already this season. Vu will look to find a spark this week as she’s struggled in recent months, having missed the cut in six of her last seven starts

The first four major champions of the year are in the field this week in Wales, including The Chevron Championship winner Mao Saigo, U.S. Women’s Open champion Maja Stark, KPMG Women’s PGA Champion Minjee Lee and Grace Kim, winner of The Amundi Evian Championship.

Jeeno Thitikul comes into the AIG Women’s Open as the highest-ranked player in the field who hasn’t won a major championship. Thitikul’s best finish in her four prior appearances at this major was a tie for seventh in 2022 at Muirfield.

Final Qualifying was held on Monday and saw 17 players earn a spot in the AIG Women’s Open field. Notables Aline Krauter and Linnea Strom were among those who ultimately qualified to play at Royal Porthcawl.

Lydia Ko defends

Two weeks after Lydia Ko won gold at the Paris Olympics to earn a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame, she made history once more with her victory at the AIG Women’s Open in 2024. Ko secured the third leg of the Career Grand Slam with her win at St Andrews, and with it, she earned her 21st career victory on the LPGA Tour. Ko began the final round three strokes back of the lead and birdied the 72nd hole to win by two shots ahead of a pack of major champions that included Nelly Korda, Ruoning Yin, Lilia Vu and Jiyai Shin. Ko carded a final round 3-under 69 in the final round at the Old Course to collect her first major title since 2016.

More to play for

There will be much more on the line than just a major title this weekend at the AIG Women’s Open. Following the conclusion of play on Sunday, the members of the seven Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown teams will be finalized. The seven countries that will be represented - the United States, Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Sweden, the People’s Republic of China, along with one World Team, were finalized after the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. However, the four members of each of those teams will be locked in on Sunday, based on a player’s world ranking. The top four ranked players from each country will make their respective team. The International Crown will be held in the Republic of Korea in October.

Come Sunday, the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award winner will also be determined. The award is given to the player who has the best performance in the season’s major championships. Points are awarded for top-10 finishes in majors, and a player must have won at least one major during the season in order to be eligible for the award. Ahead of the AIG Women’s Open, Minjee Lee leads the standings with 78 points following her victory at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in addition to two more top-five finishes in majors this season. Mao Saigo trails Lee by just four points with her victory at The Chevron Championship.

How to watch

Grab a cup of coffee and curl up in front of the television to watch all four rounds of the AIG Women’s Open. Here are the broadcast times for each day of the major championship. All times are ET.

Thursday, July 31: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. on USA

Friday, August 1: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. on USA

Saturday, August 2: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. on USA and 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. on NBC

Sunday, August 3: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. on USA and 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. on NBC

Five Things to Know About the 2025 AIG Women’s Open

Related Articles