Japanese bets dominate AIG Women’s Open

Japanese bets dominate AIG Women’s Open | Daily Tribune

Japan’s Eri Okayama and Rio Takeda are off to a flying start at the AIG Women’s Open, sharing the early lead after matching five-under-par 67s in the opening round at Royal Porthcawl.

Okayama shrugged off a bogey on the first hole with a flurry of birdies — five on the front nine and another on 17 — to close with a composed round despite not feeling 100 percent physically.

“My tee shots were pretty good today, so I was able to play without any major issues,” said the 29-year-old, who revealed she’s been managing a back injury that kept her from practicing much in the lead-up to the major.

“I’ve barely been able to practice up until this point, so I’ve been taking it easy and taking care of myself,” she said. Okayama earned her spot at Royal Porthcawl with a runner-up finish at the Suntory Ladies Open in June.

Takeda, meanwhile, showed resilience of her own. The 22-year-old carded seven birdies to offset a double bogey on the par-4 9th hole.

“I had a double bogey today, but I was able to quickly change my mindset, and I’m glad I could bounce back,” said Takeda, who recently won her first LPGA event. “It’s only the first day, and anything can happen on this course, so I’ll just do my best tomorrow.”

Japan is making its presence felt early — six Japanese players are inside the top 13 after just one round.

One shot back is 23-year-old Miyu Yamashita, who dazzled on the front nine with four straight birdies before draining an eagle on 9 to finish at four-under.

“My shots weren’t that close today, but my mid-range putts went in and helped me improve my score,” she said. “I think my putting was really on point.”

Yamashita has a solid AIG Women’s Open resume, finishing 13th in her debut in 2022 and T21 last year.

Ten players sit in a logjam for fourth place at three-under, including England’s Mimi Rhodes, Belgium’s Manon De Roey, Germany’s Laura Fuenfstueck, Austria’s Emma Spitz, and Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki, Mao Saigo, and Chisato Iwai. South Korea’s In Gee Chun and Ina Yoon, and American Alexa Pano round out the group.

Rhodes, the LET Order of Merit leader, overcame three bogeys with four birdies and a superb eagle on the 9th.

“It was definitely very mental out there,” Rhodes said. “I had to really concentrate on the tee shots and not get ahead of myself. I was just trying to stay in the moment and have fun.”

The 24-year-old played alongside Solheim Cup veteran Carlota Ciganda and appreciated the experience. “She always has great energy. I try to be like her out there — patient and composed.”

Fuenfstueck, one of 11 LET players who advanced through Final Qualifying, was also pleased with her performance.

“I didn’t really have a bad start, but just had trouble with speed on the greens early on. I’m very happy I was able to fight back and finish three-under,” she said, adding she’s been running on adrenaline after a long week.

Spitz, making her third appearance in the championship, recovered from a rough start and found her groove.

“My putting’s been tough recently, so I was a bit worried early. But my long game was really solid today — hit a lot of fairways and greens, which is key in these conditions,” said Spitz.

Welsh hopeful Darcey Harry made her major debut memorable, carding a two-under 70 on home soil with her boyfriend and DP World Tour pro Jacob Skov Olesen on the bag.

“It was really good,” said the 22-year-old. “Jacob helped me a lot out there — kept me smiling and distracted, so it was perfect.”

With unpredictable weather, firm fairways, and a stacked international field, it’s shaping up to be a thrilling battle at Royal Porthcawl for the season’s final major.