Shots of the Championship

Royal Porthcawl was treated to plenty of magical moments throughout this year’s historic AIG Women’s Open.

From holes-in-one to long putts and exquisite iron play, the 144-strong field exhibited every type of crowd-pleasing golf shot you could wish to see.

Our shortlist turned into a long list, but here are some of the stand-out strokes worth enjoying again from four memorable days in Wales:

Miyu Yamashita

Where better to start than with the new Champion?

Miyu Yamashita took control of proceedings on Friday and stood firm all weekend to collect her first major title.

The Japanese hit a number of wonderful shots across the week, but perhaps none more important than this par save on 17 in round three.

Miyu had already recorded four bogeys during a tough 24th birthday afternoon and was facing a fifth after hitting her approach to the far left of the penultimate green.

With the chasing pack closing in, she was left with a monster 35-foot putt – and she nailed it.

Steph Kyriacou

If there was a ‘Number of Memorable Shots at Porthcawl’ leaderboard then Steph Kyriacou would be at the very top.

The Australian holed out of a bunker on day two to leap inside the cut line in the most dramatic fashion – a sand save worthy of being included in this exhaled list.

She also came within centimetres of a SECOND hole-in-one inside three days – more on that further down.

Steph’s first ‘wow’ moment came in round two when she landed the Championship’s first ace since 2018.

Unleashing a gap wedge on the 8th hole, her ball bounced just once before diving into the cup.

Charley Hull

You know you’ve done something special when one of your shots is labelled a “show-stopper” by revered golf broadcaster Andrew Cotter.

This was the case for Charley Hull when she ended her second round with a birdie – thanks this delicate pitch off the green to within inches.

It moved the 29-year-old to level-par for the Championship and gave her the momentum for a typical weekend charge which eventually saw her finish in a tie for second place.

Hyojoo Kim

Hyojoo Kim won the Evian Championship on her major debut in 2014 and has gone on to record 13 other top-10 finishes in the big events over the next 11 years.

She is a player of undoubted class.

Hyojoo has displayed a liking for the AIG Women’s Open, registering five top-15 finishes in nine appearances – and with shots like the one below, it’s easy to see why.

This brilliant approach on the 10th hole in round one left her with a tap-in birdie which moved her on to three-under in a blistering opening.

Laura Fuenfstueck

Laura Fuenfstueck only booked her place at the AIG Women’s Open after coming through Final Qualifying three days prior.

And she carried that confidence into Porthcawl, particularly over the first two days.

Three-under after round one, the German got moving early on Friday thanks to this magnificent hole out at the 3rd.

Steph Kyriacou – again!

A number of players came close to a hole-in-one at Porthcawl; the likes of Miyu Yamashita, Andrea Lee and 2023 Champion Lilia Vu.

Steph Kyriacou was one of only two players who achieved the magical feat and, remarkably, the 24-year-old came so, so close to landing TWO in the same Championship.

Her chance for a place in history came at the 5th hole on Sunday – and she could not have put her ball much closer.

One player who will be forever grateful of Steph’s near-miss is her final-round playing partner Mimi Rhodes …

Mimi Rhodes

As good as the list has been so far, we have saved the best till last.

England’s Mimi Rhodes enjoyed her first appearance at the AIG Women’s Open, finishing in a tie for 19th place.

An eagle at the par-5 9th in round one had long looked like being her best moment from an impressive major debut.

And then this happened.

Just seconds after Steph Kyriacou had struck another majestic tee shot, Mimi followed suit and unleashed a fine wedge of her own.

Landing on the front of the green, the ball ran on and would have stopped close – before it deflected off Steph’s ball and dropped into the cup. Incredible!

While purists would argue that Steph’s was the better tee shot, the astonishing nature of this hole-in-one means it will likely be replayed for years to come.