Okayama, Takeda shine at Women’s Open

Stimpmeter · August 1, 2025, 5:15am

Eri Okayama and Rio Takeda surged to the top of the AIG Women’s Open leaderboard on a weather-affected opening day at Royal Porthcawl, leading a strong Japanese charge.

The duo carded matching 67s to share the overnight lead at five under par, one shot clear of compatriot Miyu Yamashita.

Shiho Kuwaki, Mao Saigo and Chisato Iwai also made impressive starts, sitting two strokes off the pace on three under alongside In Gee Chun and England’s Mimi Rhodes.

World No 1 Nelly Korda and local favourite Darcey Harry are a further shot back at two under.

In-form Lottie Woad opened with a level-par 71, one stroke better than defending champion Lydia Ko.

South Africans Ashleigh Buhai and Casandra Alexander each signed for a one-over 73. Buhai, carded three birdies and four bogeys, while Alexander mixed two birdies with three drop shots to stay within reach heading into Friday.

Okayama, making her Women’s Open debut, rebounded from a bogey at the 1st with five birdies before the turn and added another at the 17th after a brilliant approach. She parred the last to post the clubhouse lead.

Takeda, who missed the cut on debut last year, made an early statement by chipping in for birdie at the 1st. She added gains at the 2nd and 6th, but a double-bogey at the par-five 9th halted her momentum. The 22-year-old bounced back with four back-nine birdies and nearly holed her approach at the 16th.

Yamashita surged into contention with four consecutive birdies from the 5th and an eagle at the 9th, though a bogey at the 17th left her one shot off the pace.

Rhodes led the British effort with a composed 68. An eagle at the 9th helped her reach the turn at three under, where she stayed despite a mixed back nine.

Harry, a member at Royal Porthcawl, delighted the home crowds with a 70. Her fourth birdie of the day came at the 17th and was met with a rousing reception from the locals.

Woad, fresh off her maiden LPGA Tour title at the Women’s Scottish Open, had an up-and-down round with three birdies and four bogeys. She made a nerveless birdie at the 1st and a brilliant putt from the fringe at the 6th, but couldn’t build consistent momentum.

Georgia Hall, the 2018 champion, posted a solid one-under 70. Charley Hull had the most eventful round of the day – recovering from three over after three holes with a string of four birdies – only to fade with four consecutive bogeys before a closing birdie saw her finish at one over.

Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images

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