Lydia Hall Earns Spot at Home Major as AIG Women’s Open Ignites Welsh Golf

Lydia Hall will proudly fly the Welsh flag at the AIG Women’s Open this week after securing her place in the championship through final qualifying.

Her presence will bring  added local excitement to an already historic moment for golf in Wales.

The 37-year-old from Bridgend shot a one-under-par 70 at Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club on Monday to claim one of just 17 qualifying places available for golf’s final major of the year. 

Her performance means Wales will now have two homegrown players in the field, with youngster Darcey Harry already confirmed.

Experienced Ladies European Tour player Hall, winner of the ISPS Handa Ladies British Masters in 2012, is also a former Lady Club Champion at Royal Porthcawl and is looking forward to playing alongside the world’s best golfers on a course she knows so well.

Her score of one under was enough to see her through in one of the 17 places available at Final Qualifying, finishing her round early in the day and facing a nervous wait to see if she had done enough.

Fellow Welsh players Chloe Williams, Ffion Tynan and Gracie Mayo all finished outside the qualification places. Canadian Anna Huang led the way with a score of four under par.

“I have been on the Ladies European Tour for 17 years and Porthcawl was my home course for seven years before turning professional,” said 37-year-old Hall.

“I was Lady Club Champion there, and played for the team, so I have amazing memories playing there.

“It was the course where I fell in love with golf, so it will be amazing to play there in the AIG Women’s Open.

“It would be a dream come true to play an Open at what I would class as my home course growing up as a kid.

“I represented the club for seven years as an amateur, so hopefully I will get plenty of support pegging it up on the first tee on Thursday.

“Hopefully lots of people will come along to watch and it will inspire the next generation of young girls in Wales to play golf

“Today was good, a lot of nerves, anxiety, a lot of pressure being a local girl, but I am just really happy that I was able to perform.

“There were a few shots left out there, a few putts missed, lots of good play, a couple of poor shots, but I did enough.”

Hall was congratulated by Wales Golf Chief Executive Hannah McAllister, who said, “It was great when Darcey won recently on the Ladies European Tour to qualify, but now having Lydia joining her after getting through Final Qualifying is great news for Welsh golf.

“Being able to watch the world’s best women golfers on Welsh soil was already a special privilege, but to have two home grown players to follow and support will make the event even better from a Welsh point of view.

“Both Darcey and Lydia know Royal Porthcawl extremely well so hopefully that will help them to challenge. We look forward to cheering them on from the sidelines.

“The event will leave a lasting legacy for golf in Wales, especially for women and girls golf, and having two players in the event will add to that.”

Hall’s qualification comes as the AIG Women’s Open prepares to make its first-ever appearance in Wales, hosted at Royal Porthcawl this week from 30 July to 3 August. 

The tournament, often referred to as the Women’s British Open, is the biggest women’s sporting event ever staged in the country.

Paris 2024 champion Lydia Ko won last year’s AIG Women's Open, while there have been four different major winners already in 2025.

READ MORE: Darcey Harry Looking Forward To Home Comforts At Royal Porthcawl

Japan's Mao Saigo won her first major at the Chevron Championship in April, with Maja Stark of Sweden doing likewise at the US Women's Open.

Meanwhile, the broader impact of the championship is already being felt across the country. 

The 2025 Steps Challenge, a participation initiative from Wales Golf supported by The R&A, has seen a surge in grassroots engagement in anticipation of the event.

Figures show an 8% increase in total rounds played at participating Welsh golf clubs compared to last year, with a striking 22% rise in rounds played by girls and a 9% increase among women. 

In total, 92,370 rounds were played, equating to more than 876 million steps—enough to circle the globe more than 17 times.

Theo Baker, Head of Participation at Wales Golf, said the championship’s arrival was creating a legacy beyond the leaderboard.

"Golf courses across Wales were buzzing with energy this July. It’s clear the AIG Women’s Open is already inspiring more people, especially women and girls, to get out and play. 

“We’re thrilled to see this growth in participation. Every new player, every extra round, is a sign that the championship is helping golf become more accessible, inclusive, and representative of the communities we serve."

Kevin Barker from The R&A added: "The AIG Women’s Open is a celebration of elite competition, but its legacy must live beyond the final putt. 

“The Steps Challenge proves that major events don’t just entertain; they can shift perceptions, create lasting impact, and welcome new faces to our sport."

With Royal Porthcawl poised to host the world’s best—including reigning Olympic champion Lydia Ko and recent major winners Mao Saigo, Maja Stark, Minjee Lee, and Grace Kim—Hall’s presence brings a meaningful Welsh connection to a global stage.

READ MORE: Wales Golf Help Launch Welsh Summer Of Women’s Sport