Women’s Open 2025 Round 1: What to know as Japan dominates the leaderboard

PORTHCAWL, WALES – It was both rain and shine on the first day of the Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl. Luckily for the 144-strong field, there was more sunshine than rain showers as they competed for a pot of gold, which has gotten bigger this year. Whoever can tame what is already proving to be a wild and windy course will now take home an improved paycheck of $1.46 million, a 15 per cent share of the $9.75 million prize purse. It was a robust showing for Japan on Thursday, with three Japanese players on top and six in the top 13 at the end of play. Eri Okayama was the first player into the clubhouse after registering a round of 67 to put herself 5-under-par. Rio Takeda, who co-led the first round of the U.S. Open in May, had a double bogey at nine but still ended the day tied for first, with a birdie at the last putting her next to Okayama. Women’s Open debutant Shiho Kuwaki (-3) kicked things off as the initial clubhouse leader. The 22-year-old smiled her way around the course and said the atmosphere helped her play with joy. There aren’t many live scoreboards
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