Following a historic week in St Andrews the AIG Women’s Open heads to Royal Porthcawl in 2025 where it will be the largest women’s sporting event to be played in Wales.
The Championship which delivers an exceptional off-course experience to match the dramatic on-course action will be played from 30 July- 3 August 2025.
A bumper crowd of 52,887 fans watched Lydia Ko carve her name into the history books by winning the AIG Women’s Open by two shots at the Old Course in St Andrews.
Reflecting on her win in St Andrews which followed an Olympic Gold Medal in Paris, Ko said, “It’s been a crazy past few weeks. Something that was too good to be true happened. I honestly didn’t think it could be any better and here I am as the AIG Women’s Open Champion this week. Obviously, being here at the Old Course at St Andrews makes it so much more special.”
While the world’s best women’s golfers put on an incredible display of golf at the home of golf, entertainment off the course also delighted fans in the Festival Village as BRIT and Ivor Novello-nominated singer-songwriter Tom Grennan headlined a spectacular concert.
Spectators attending the Championship also watched a screening of fans favourite, ‘Happy Gilmore’, in an open air cinema on Friday night, as well as enjoying a variety of attractions such as golf lessons, lawn games, mini golf, shopping, bars, food trucks and live Q&A features with some of the biggest names in golf on the Sessions Stage.
Royal Porthcawl, a links which borders the Bristol Channel, will be a fitting test with the changeable wind directions a constant challenge. It has previously hosted The Amateur Championship on six occasions, the Walker Cup, featuring a young Tiger Woods, the Curtis Cup and on three occasions the Senior Open presented by Rolex.
Ko added, “I’ve never been to Wales. So it’s exciting to go to these new venues. It’s pretty crazy to say that I’m going to be the defending champion there in Wales.”
Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, commented, “The AIG Women’s Open is a world class championship which attracts the best players in the world. We have enjoyed an incredibly successful week in St Andrews and we now turn our focus to Wales where we will play the Championship at Royal Porthcawl for the first time.
“The famous Welsh links has a cherished history of hosting prestigious championships and the players will enjoy the challenge of competing for the AIG Women’s Open at another outstanding venue.
“It will be the largest women’s sporting event to be played in Wales and we hope to attract many Welsh sports fans, and those from further afield, to come and enjoy a true celebration of golf.”
The Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Ken Skates, said: “We’ll look forward to providing an unforgettable welcome to players, fans and spectators when the AIG Women’s Open comes to Wales in 2025. Porthcawl is sure to provide a warm Welsh Croeso to this prestigious golfing major and offers a course that will provide a true test to the very best players in the world.”
Tickets for the AIG Women’s Open, including premium hospitality options, are now on sale at aigwomensopen.com and start from £20.
Children aged 16 years or under before the Championship are admitted free of charge while spectators aged 24 years or under will be entitled to purchase youth (16-24 years) tickets which have a 50% discount.
Volunteering opportunities for the Championship are available. Those interested can register their interest via aigwomensopen.com.
For more information about the Championship please visit aigwomensopen.com.