Darcey Harry Looking Forward To Home Comforts At Royal Porthcawl

Darcey Harry of Wales during the second round at Al Maaden Golf. Pic: Tristan Jones / LET

Darcey Harry is the rising star of Welsh golf and already has a Ladies European Tour trophy to prove it. But now she has her sights set on the Women’s Open, as Hamish Stuart reports.

The Open may be in full swing at Royal Portrush, but Welsh golfer Darcey Harry is looking forward to finding out how much help local knowledge will be when she tees it up at the AIG Women’s Open.

She qualified to mix it with the world’s best on her home course by winning the Hulencourt Women’s Open on the Ladies European Tour, the first Welsh player to win an LET event in her Rookie season.

It means there will be at least one Welsh player at the biggest female sporting event ever to be hosted in Wales, with the added element that Harry is a member at Royal Porthcawl and knows the course inside out.

“People have asked me how much local knowledge will help, and I really do not think it will make a big difference,” said the 22-year-old.

“Obviously I know the course, but when you are playing the world’s best they will come here, learn it in one day and they will be able to get a grasp of it.

“I do not think it will be a major help because everyone will be playing to the same lines, everyone will have top caddies here helping them and guiding them round the course.

“So it is not a massive advantage, it is probably more nerve-wracking for me to come out and do it on my home course.”

Harry admitted the win in Belgium was life changing as she returned to Royal Porthcawl.

“It did change everything it definitely changed all my dreams – I accomplished my dream to play a major at my home course so it was life changing for sure,” said Harry.

“I am so excited to be playing, it feels like ages away but I am sure it will be on me quite quickly.”

Harry only turned professional at the end of last year, finishing second in qualifying for the LET and then enjoying a good start to her pro career after coming through the Wales squads system for more than a decade.

Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl was always her number one target for the year, and follows a first experience of playing in one of golf’s Major championships at the Amundi Evian Championship in France.

“It always felt a little bit unsure and uncertain,” she admitted. “I was quite nervous to think that I might not be teeing it up here, I think that would have been quite upsetting for sure, but now I have got in there is a sigh of relief and one step forward.

“Now it is about being here on competition day and hopefully having a good result.

“It has all come quite quickly but sometimes it is nice for it to come one after the other, nice to see that my hard work has paid off and not being dragged out over the years. It has given me the encouragement to keep going and keep trying.

“A few people have asked me what I am most looking forward to, but I honestly do not know what to expect and what it will be like.”

While the likes of fellow Welsh LET players Lydia Hall and Chloe Williams could still get through qualifying to play in Royal Porthcawl, Harry will be assured a massive home following at the course.

“It will be a normal work day for me, come with my caddy and do what we usually do, try not to change anything - because if you do, then that is when things do not go the usual way,” she said.

“Friends and family will be here, but they can look after themselves and they will know what to do, so hopefully they can just walk round and I won’t get too distracted.

“I really hope young girls around Wales will come to watch, I hope I can be an example to them and encourage them to take up golf and at least go to the driving range and give it a try.

“I have been in the Wales squad system for 10 years or more, you make some great friends and have some great memories.

“I know what a big part Wales Golf has played in helping me to be where I am now, I could not have done it without the help and support.”

Wales Golf chief executive Hannah McAllister was on hand to welcome Harry back to Royal Porthcawl, and added, “Everyone involved in Welsh golf was delighted to see Darcey qualify for Royal Porthcawl.

“It really helps to have a Welsh player competing with the world’s best, someone we can all get behind.

“It was lovely to meet up again and chat through Darcey’s journey from joining the Welsh squad system more than 10 years ago, competing for Wales round the world, and now being one of the top players.”

The AIG Women’s Open will be played at Royal Porthcawl from 30 July – 3 August 2025. Tickets to watch the world’s best golfers in action are available to purchase from £20 at aigwomensopen.com with children under 16-years-of-age free when accompanied by a paying adult.

For more information about the AIG Women’s Open, please visit www.aigwomensopen.com.