Japan’s Miyu Yamashita clinched her first major title in emotional fashion on Sunday, winning the Women’s British Open by two strokes at Royal Porthcawl.
The 24-year-old held her nerve in a tense final round, carding a two-under-par finish to complete the tournament at 11-under overall. England’s Charley Hull and fellow Japanese star Minami Katsu finished joint second on nine under after both shot final-round 69s.
Yamashita became just the third Japanese woman to win the British Open, following in the footsteps of Hinako Shibuno (2019) and Ayako Okamoto (1984). Her victory came just a day after her 24th birthday and sparked emotional celebrations, including a champagne toast on the 18th green and tears of joy.
“To win such a historic tournament in front of all these amazing fans is such an incredible feeling,” Yamashita said. “The course is set up to be very difficult but also in a brilliant condition. The amount of people supporting me today really pushed me towards the victory and this is for them.”
Yamashita, whose best major finish prior to this was a tie for second at last year’s Women’s PGA Championship, began the day with a one-shot lead over South Korea’s Kim A-lim. Despite a shaky third round marred by driving issues and putting struggles, she found her composure on Sunday to secure the biggest win of her career.
Her previous best at the Women’s British Open was 13th in 2022, but this time she conquered the Porthcawl links in commanding fashion.
“Being my first win is something very special and to celebrate with everyone is an amazing feeling,” she added.
Yamashita became the fourth Japanese golfer to win a major in the past two years. Before 2024, Japan had produced just two LPGA major winners in history.
Kim drew level early with a birdie at the second, but Yamashita responded immediately when Kim bogeyed the third. From there, the Japanese star pulled away, with birdies at the fourth, eighth and ninth giving her a strong cushion.
Hull, who had started the third round 11 shots behind, made a spirited charge with birdies on the 12th and 14th, cutting the lead to one with five holes to play. But bogeys at the 16th and 17th proved costly, and Yamashita calmly closed out her round to seal victory.
One of the day’s most remarkable moments came from England’s Mimi Rhodes, who made a hole-in-one on the fifth after her tee shot deflected off another ball and dropped in. Yet it was Yamashita who held centre stage from start to finish, showing composure and grit throughout.
After tapping in her final putt, she embraced her caddie and punched the air in delight, a fitting end to a career-defining weekend.