The 2025 AIG Women’s Open started off with an exciting and impressive first round at the famous Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, and the scoreboard shows that Japan is doing amazing.

On a day with clear skies but high pressure, Risa Takeuchi expertly navigated the course with calmness, finishing with a fantastic score of 5-under-par 67, giving her the lead. Her performance was a perfect example of smart play and great putting, setting the stage for a week that could change her career.

Eri Okayama and Hinano Yonemura, both from Japan, also made great rounds with matching scores of 67, making it a remarkable Japanese takeover of the top three positions. This shows their determination, and if the first day is any indication, the players from Japan are here to not just compete, but to win.

A Global Battle Brewing Behind the Leaders

Only one stroke behind at -3 is a group of talented players tied for fourth. Liesl Spitz from Austria, Lottie Cluth from England, Hannah Kröhler from Germany, and Laura Berghuis from the Netherlands all had impressive starts, skillfully managing the tricky pot bunkers and challenging layout of Royal Porthcawl.

Manon De Roey from Belgium, Ayaka Yanagi from Japan, and Minseo Yoon from Korea are also in this group, each displaying their unique styles while handling the tough course that is one of the best seaside layouts in Wales.

Japan’s Domination Continues Through the Leaderboard 

Japan’s success doesn’t stop at the top. An incredible six players from Japan are in the top 15 after the first day. Chiharu Iwai, Moe Saigo, and the young talent Sakura Kuwaki all scored solid rounds of 3-under-par, joining their teammates near the top. This isn’t just a lucky day—Japan’s skill and preparation for the challenges of links golf is really making an impression.

Major Stars Lurking at -2 

Many well-known players are close behind, just two shots off the lead at 2-under-par. Young American golfer Austin Kim, the calm Nelly Korda, and focused Hye-Jin Ryu stand out in a busy T14 group. Veteran A. Lim Kim from Korea, Australia’s Minjee Lee, Atthaya Thitikul from Thailand, and popular Lydia Ko are also grouped together, ready to make their move.

New rising stars like Andrea Lee, Lucy Grant, and Brittany Matthews also shined, showing that the new generation of women’s golf is strong and thriving.

Royal Porthcawl Delivers a Fair, But Fierce Test

Royal Porthcawl, with its rugged hills and open exposure to all kinds of weather, is proving to be a great place for this tournament. While the course was manageable on Thursday, the small slopes and long shots still required players to be precise and patient. Those who kept their tee shots low and accurate were rewarded; those who missed found tough grass and disappointment.

Diksha Dagar keeps going.

India’s Diksha Dagar demonstrated resilience and focus in her first round at Royal Porthcawl, scoring a steady 1-under-par 71. Handling the tough golf course with skill, she balanced solid par scores with two important birdies to remain just within the top 30 players. With her relaxed attitude and accurate shots, Dagar set herself up nicely for a strong performance in the upcoming rounds.

Round 2 Outlook: The Heat Is On

With such a close leaderboard, get ready for an exciting and unpredictable Friday. The weather report says winds will increase. This means the already speedy greens could become even faster, and the fairways might get tougher. Players will need to use their skills and creativity to stay competitive.

The three Japanese players leading might have the upper hand, but competitors like Korda, Ko, and Minjee Lee have experience in big weekend tournaments—and they know how to deal with the pressure.

Leaderboard Overview After Round 1: 

T1: Risa Takeuchi, Eri Okayama, Hinano Yonemura –5

T4: Liesl Spitz, Lottie Cluth, Hannah Kröhler, Laura Berghuis, Manon De Roey, Ayaka Yanagi, Minseo Yoon, Moe Saigo, Chiharu Iwai, Sakura Kuwaki –3

T14: Nelly Korda, Minjee Lee, Lydia Ko, Atthaya Thitikul, Andrea Lee, Hye-Jin Ryu, Austin Kim, A. Lim Kim –2

Round 1 at Royal Porthcawl brought excitement, skill, and a chance for new leaders to emerge. The rise of the Japanese players is clear—but there is a lot of strong talent right behind them. As the winds pick up on Day 2, one thing is sure: this tournament is still very competitive.