Woad Favored, Ko Defends at AIG Women's Open

The 2025 AIG Women's Open, the final women's golf major of the year, will be held at Royal Porthcawl in Wales from July 31 to August 3, marking the tournament's debut at the venue. Defending champion Lydia Ko, world No.1 Nelly Korda, and rising English star Lottie Woad headline a 145-player field, with Woad emerging as the betting favorite following recent victories in the Irish and Scottish Opens. Notable absentees include Lexi Thompson, missing for personal reasons, and Danielle Kang, absent due to form. Sixteen-year-old Canadian Anna Huang and veteran Brianna Do advanced through final qualifying. The field faces a challenging links course known for its unpredictable winds, with tee times beginning at 6:30 am local time and Sophia Popov hitting the opening shot; Ko, Vu, and Woad are paired together. The event offers a $9.5 million purse and a strong international lineup despite the absence of some headline names.