**Young Welsh Golfer Set to Make History at Royal Porthcawl’s AIG Women’s Open**
This weekend, the picturesque town of Porthcawl on Wales’ south coast will be thrust into the sporting spotlight as the AIG Women’s Open comes to the highly esteemed Royal Porthcawl Golf Club. In a significant moment for both Welsh sport and women’s golf, this prestigious tournament marks the largest women-only sporting event ever staged in the country. Among those preparing to tee off for glory is Darcey Harry, a 22-year-old local golfer who knows every corner of this celebrated links as her home course.
Darcey Harry, hailing from Dinas Powys, has called Royal Porthcawl her golfing home for the past six years. Typically seen practising rounds alongside her father, she is now poised to test herself against an international field that includes heavyweights such as Georgia Hall, Jennifer Kupcho, and last year’s defending champion Lydia Ko. Unlike her global rivals, Harry’s journey to the tournament requires little more than a short drive along the Welsh coast, giving her a rare home advantage during what will be only her second appearance at a major championship.
Adding an extra layer of support and familiarity, Darcey will have her partner, fellow professional golfer Jacob Skov Olesen, as her caddy for the week. She candidly admits that the magnitude of the event is daunting, but hopes that her boyfriend’s calming presence on the bag will help ease the nerves. “This week is definitely shaping up to be the most nerve-racking of my career so far,” Harry stated. “Having someone I trust beside me, who can also keep things light-hearted, is absolutely invaluable.”
As a competitive couple, both Harry and Olesen have developed their own friendly rivalry. In press interviews, Harry recounted how stakes during joint competition weeks often escalate, with the winner enjoying a meal at the other’s expense. The dynamic certainly appears to spur them on; Harry secured qualification for the Porthcawl Open after sealing her maiden title on the Ladies European Tour in Belgium, earning not only bragging rights but also her place among the world’s elite this week.
Unlike most players in the field, Darcey is relishing the rare chance to play in front of a supportive, home-based crowd. She expressed both excitement and gratitude at the prospect of so many familiar faces lining the fairways. “I’ve never had such a huge turnout cheering me on before,” she commented. “To feel that level of support on the course where I learned the game is something I’ll treasure, and I’m determined to simply enjoy every second, remembering to smile no matter how the round goes.”
Harry is also eager for her peers on the global stage to experience the club’s breath-taking ocean vistas, and to get a taste of authentic Welsh hospitality. “Every hole pretty much offers a spectacular view of the sea, and visitors have already commented on how warm and welcoming the Welsh are,” she said. There’s a strong sense of pride in both her club and her country, with Harry hopeful that the exposure will leave a lasting impression on travelling competitors and spectators.
Feedback from fellow golfers this week has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Harry. Many have acknowledged the unique challenges posed by the sweeping coastal winds and tricky bunkers. “You never want a world-class player to turn up and find your home course easy,” she said, clearly pleased to see Porthcawl hold its own on the international stage.
Off the course, Darcey’s passion reaches beyond golf. A graduate of the Royal Agricultural University, she holds a degree in equine science and business. When not wielding a golf club, she can often be found with her competition horse in the Cotswolds, finding solace and distraction in the world of equestrian sport. “It’s a great way to reset and take your mind off both the highs and lows of golf,” she reflected.
In addition to Darcey Harry, spectators can also expect to see Lydia Hall, another Welsh contender and former resident of Royal Porthcawl, who secured her place in the championship during the final qualifying event at the nearby Pyle and Kenfig club. For many in the local community, their presence in the draw is a point of considerable pride.
Darcey Harry will step onto the first tee at 12.21pm on Thursday, 31 July, ready to chase her place in the history books with the backing of a passionate Welsh crowd. The tournament will be broadcast on Sky Sports, offering golf fans across the nation a chance to witness a potential homegrown triumph.