The 2025 AIG Women’s British Open is currently taking place at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, with Lydia Ko as the defending champion following her victory at St. Andrews last year. The recent second round saw Miyu Yamashita outperform her competitors with a remarkable 7-under 65, securing a three-stroke lead at 11-under overall. Compatriot Rio Takeda is in second place, three shots behind, showcasing the competitive spirit between these two Japanese players.
Notably, this tournament has seen a discrepancy in performance based on tee times, with early starters gaining an advantage in calmer conditions. Player Megan Khang commented on the impressive performance of Yamashita, who, despite yet to win on the LPGA Tour, is ranked 15th in the world and boasts 13 victories on the JLPGA.
Takeda, a promising newcomer and ranked 12th, is eager to build on her success, revealing her desire to remain calm and focused as the tournament progresses. The quest for the championship has also included setbacks for other top contenders. World No. 2, Jeeno Thitikul, suffered a triple-bogey, dropping her to 1-under and 10 shots behind Yamashita’s lead. Eri Okayama faced challenges as well, struggling with her form after a strong opening round, now sitting at 1-over for the tournament.
Among the notable performances, Laura Fuenfstueck, who qualified to participate in this prestigious event, is managing to hold her ground with a score of 3-under. With high stakes and generous prize money of $9.75 million, including a record-breaking $1.4625 million for the winner, the competition remains fierce.
With many leading names clustered around the 2 under mark, including Nelly Korda and Minjee Lee, the weekend promises more excitement. A win for Minjee Lee would mark a significant milestone in her career, achieving a career grand slam should she secure victory.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Yamashita and the subsequent rounds, as anything can happen on a links course. The narratives of resilience and ambition among the players add to the drama of this thrilling championship.