Lydia Ko Embraces Welsh Welcome as AIG Women’s Open Heads to Porthcawl for the First Time

Defending champion Lydia Ko says she’s loving her first visit to Wales as the AIG Women’s Open prepares to make history at Royal Porthcawl.

It will be the first time the Championship will have been held in Wales and will be the largest women’s sporting event that Wales has seen.

The New Zealand star, who lifted the trophy at St Andrews last year, will tee it up alongside world number one Nelly Korda and rising English sensation Lottie Woad when the final women’s major of the season gets underway on Thursday.

But for Ko, it’s not just the challenge of the rugged Welsh coastline that has caught her attention — it’s the culture, the language, and the warmth of supporters that have made her feel right at home.

“It’s my first time to Wales. I’m just trying to get used to it here and kind of learn the culture a little bit, but it’s been fun,” said Ko with a smile.

“The only thing that I knew outside of the flag was that there were words that had very little vowels, some words that just look like a bunch of consonants. This might be one of the most difficult languages I’ve ever heard!”

Ko, whose home country of New Zealand is known for its rolling hills and sheep-filled pastures, has noticed some striking similarities with her temporary base in Bridgend County.

“I’ve heard there are a lot of sheep here in Wales, and that’s what New Zealand is very known for. So it feels somewhat like home. 

“The people have been very welcoming and nice. I haven’t been fully exposed to that Welsh culture, but I love it.”

Nelly Korda: Pic: The R&A and Getty Images.

This week’s tournament is being billed as the biggest women’s sporting event ever held in Wales, and Ko believes that significance will help pull in crowds from across the region — especially if the weather behaves.

“I think this is the biggest women's sporting event in Wales. Hopefully that draws a lot of crowds out here. 

“I think the last time there was a championship here was for the Men's Senior Open, and I heard the weather was pretty brutal. Hopefully with some nicer weather in the forecast, we have tons of spectators.”

The 27-year-old is embracing the unique challenge of links golf on the exposed Porthcawl coastline, where wind and rain can turn any round into a battle for survival — something Ko believes is part of the magic of the Women’s Open.

“I think that’s probably one of the best things about this event, the people that normally come out and participate love the game and just so passionate. 

“Whether it is raining or blowing 30 miles an hour, they’re here with us. I’m hoping that with this being the first time, it would draw a lot of attention.”

“But I would rather it be tough than be calm. As much as I love sunny weather, when I’m coming to play the Women’s Open, I expect it to be rainy, windy, and that’s what I’ve gotten to really enjoy about this Championship.”

Lottie Woad: Pic: The R&A and Getty Images.

Ko will play the opening two rounds alongside 21-year-old Lottie Woad, whose spectacular run of form has seen her win the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open just weeks after turning professional, following a runner-up finish at the Evian Championship.

The former Welsh Women’s Open Amateur champion is considered by many to be the tournament favourite and is keen to prove herself on Royal Porthcawl’s testing layout.

“I think it will be a really good test,” Woad said. 

“Weather is always a factor in links golf. A lot of holes, par is a good score, and then you’ve got to take a chance on the par-5s really.”

“I played the course a month or so ago, it’s nice to see the start lines before you get here. There are a few holes that are kind of blindish. You’re aiming over the gorge and you don’t think that’s right, but it actually is the right line.”

“It’s nice to know that before the practice round. Although it was a little softer when I played it, but not too different.”

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

Current world number one Nelly Korda is also relishing the challenge of links golf and has been taken aback by the beauty of the Welsh landscape — and the difficulty that lies in wait.

“New week, new golf course, new conditions,” Korda said. 

“The first four holes are beautiful. The views from the golf course are absolutely breathtaking, but you can definitely tell that, when the wind kind of picks up here, it’s going to be a really, really hard test.”

“It’s really pretty. I think everything depends on the wind and the weather that we get, like kind of every Open Championship. I think it’s going to be a great test.”

“Our first hole of the tournament having that view with the water in the background, kind of a blind tee shot in a sense, it looks like the end of the world there.”

“I feel like it’s maybe a little bit more demanding off the tee, compared with other links courses. You can hit driver and there are some bunkers in the way, but here you definitely can’t hit driver.”

“Once you’re in one of those bunkers, like in all links golf courses, it’s just a pitch-out. So it’s going to be very demanding off the tee and making sure that you’re in good spots going into the greens.”

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

The AIG Women’s Open, running from 30 July to 3 August 2025 at Royal Porthcawl, promises to be a landmark moment for Welsh sport and a defining test for the best players in the women’s game.

For tickets and further information, visit www.aigwomensopen.com. Tickets start from £45, with free entry for under-16s accompanied by a paying adult.