Rising star Yamashita’s AIG Women’s Open win highlights dominant era for Japan in women's golf

Miyu Yamashita’s victory at the AIG Women’s Open makes her the fourth Japanese player to win a Major championship in the last two years. -- The R&A via Getty Images / LPGA

PORTHCAWL, Mid Glamorgan, Wales: Miyu Yamashita’s impressive victory at the AIG Women’s Open reinforced Japan’s emergence over the last few years as the pre-eminent force in women’s golf.

Yamashita’s cool and composed two-shot triumph at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club made her the fourth Japanese player to win a Major championship in the last two years and the sixth overall, joining Mao Saigo (2025 Chevron Championship), Ayaka Furue (2024 Amundi Evian Championship), Yuka Saso (2024 US Women's Open), Hinako Shibuno (2019 AIG Women's Open) and the pioneering Hisako ‘Chako’ Higuchi (1977 LPGA Championship).