Miyu's mission

No player has won the AIG Women’s Open back-to-back since Yani Tseng’s memorable victory at Carnoustie 15 years ago.

This week Miyu Yamashita aims to change that.

It was 12 months ago Miyu managed a stunning victory on the Welsh coast, claiming her maiden major title at Royal Porthcawl.

Now she’s ready to defend her crown at Royal Lytham & St Annes, and she can’t wait to get going.

“Yani Tseng [below] winning in 2011 was of course an amazing achievement,” Miyu said on the eve of the 50th edition of the Championship.

“To be here again, to have the chance to be the defending Champion, is something I really look forward to.

“I’ve just got to focus on the golf and my performance this week.”

The challenge posed by Royal Lytham & St Annes is a unique one, and one Miyu has a plan for as she prepares for her fifth appearance at the AIG Women’s Open.

“I think the first impression was that there are a lot of bunkers on this golf course. The wind, because this course is close to the sea, is very strong,” she said.

“That’s something I’m going to have to navigate through this week. It’s definitely going to be a challenge, but staying out of those bunkers and making sure I manage myself well around this golf course is going to be key to a good performance this week."

She added: “I don't hit it the longest but things like short game and putting are really important to me and getting my distance control right is something I paid really, really close attention to, and something that's really helped my game.”

Miyu’s victory in Wales was met with huge celebrations on the 18th green at Royal Porthcawl, and the scenes in her home city of Osaka – more than 9,000 miles away – were just as joyous as Japanese sports fans celebrated her landmark success.

Reflecting on her homecoming, the 24-year-old – who celebrates her birthday in the week of the Championship – admits she was taken aback by the strength of support.

“When I went back to Japan [the reaction] was more than what I realised I would get,” she said.

“So many people cheering me on. Rather than one person, I just say the overall support I got was just amazing and something that I could not have imagined.

“It was something I was very, very appreciative of.”