Thousands Flock to Porthcawl as Major Women’s Golf Tournament Takes Centre Stage
The normally tranquil seaside town of Porthcawl has become the focus of the sporting world this week as 50,000 visitors are expected to attend the AIG Women’s Open, one of the five major championships in women’s golf. Hosted at the renowned Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, the event runs from 31 July to 3 August, dazzling fans and sporting enthusiasts who are gathering from across the globe to watch the pinnacle of women’s golf competition.
This marks the largest women-only sporting event ever staged on Welsh soil, further cementing Wales’ growing reputation for hosting world-class sporting fixtures. Frequently described as one of the most lucrative and eagerly anticipated tournaments on the women’s golf circuit, the AIG Women’s Open is a magnet for international talent and spectators, drawn by the tournament’s pedigree and its spectacular coastal setting.
In preparation for the influx of fans, the Royal Porthcawl course has undergone a dramatic transformation. No longer solely the purview of seasoned golfers, the venue now buzzes with a festival-like atmosphere—replete with food stalls offering everything from classic fish and chips to flavoursome Greek cuisine, a medley of family-friendly activities, and pop-up shops providing a host of souvenirs. The event’s format offers a rare intimacy, enabling spectators to meet players, collect autographs or snag a quick selfie as athletes navigate the thrilling, wind-swept course.
Transport logistics have been carefully orchestrated to accommodate the extraordinary crowds. Special arrangements include shuttle buses running regularly from Bridgend station directly to the club, supplemented by dedicated parking areas for cars, motorbikes, bicycles, and those requiring accessible facilities. Large-scale signage and staff are in place to ensure well-organised entry for both veteran golf fans and newcomers.
Reflecting the festival mood, food and drink options abound across the site, with local street food vendors and refreshment stations offering a broad array of choices. Notably, water refill stations are dotted around the course, encouraging attendees to stay hydrated as they take in both the sporting drama and the fresh sea air.
The spectacle itself unfolds on a course widely regarded as among the world’s elite. The Royal Porthcawl, perched on a gentle slope that tumbles towards the coastline, offers competitors and fans alike uninterrupted vistas out over the sea. On a clear day, the view spans from Somerset and Exmoor to the vast expanse of Swansea Bay and the Gower Peninsula. The course, with holes facing in all directions and subjected to ever-changing coastal winds, poses a challenge even for the best, ensuring each round demands both tactical flexibility and technical prowess.
Global stars are vying for the title, including defending champion Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Charley Hull, and highly-rated British talent Lottie Woad. The presence of homegrown prospects is a point of pride this year, as Wales is represented by Darcey Harry, a 22-year-old from Dinas Powys riding high after her maiden Ladies European Tour victory, and 37-year-old Lydia Hall of Bridgend, a seasoned professional whose amateur beginnings were rooted at Royal Porthcawl itself. Both athletes are keenly anticipating the unique thrill of competing on home soil, backed by local supporters.
For Welsh golf as a whole, this marks more than just a singular sporting highlight. Experts from Wales Golf, including chief executive Hannah McAllister, have remarked on the enduring legacy such an event can inspire in the country—an important boost for women’s and girls’ participation in the sport, and a showcase for Wales as a destination for international tournaments.
Beyond the greens and fairways, Porthcawl’s moment in the spotlight is expected to deliver considerable benefits to the local economy. With the Welsh Government having reported that major events propelled by Event Wales in 2024 alone generated upwards of £40 million, the AIG Women’s Open promises a further surge in tourism and business for area vendors and attractions.
As play gets underway, the eyes of the international sporting community are firmly set on Porthcawl—a testament to how even the smallest towns can become the epicentre of sporting ambition, camaraderie and inspiration on the world stage.