The countdown is on—and so is the pressure. As the world’s best prepare for the AIG Women’s Open 2025, from July 31 to August 3, one thing is clear: slow starts won’t survive at Royal Porthcawl. From the first tee to sudden-death playoff holes, nothing comes easy. Every shot matters across four relentless days—and yes, just like tradition demands, there will be a cut. If your favorite golfer wants glory, she must first survive the Friday cull.

This will be the second time that Royal Porthcawl is hosting the championship, following its debut in 2014. A field of 144 elite golfers will tee off, including stars like Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Rose Zhang, and Georgia Hall, along with top international qualifiers. The 2025 edition stretches over four days, from Thursday to Sunday, just like all other majors, testing skill and nerves. Each player will face 18 holes per day, and the competitor with the lowest total after 72 holes will be crowned champion. In the event of a tie, a sudden-death playoff will follow, continuing one hole at a time until someone emerges victorious.

Last year’s champion, Ko, knows the stakes. “Every shot counts at a major—it tests your heart,” she said after lifting the 2024 trophy. Indeed, there’s a cut—and it stings. After two rounds, only the top 65 players and ties will advance to the weekend. The rest will head home without prize money or ranking points. That urgency means players must bring their best from the first hole. Veteran Celine Boutier summed it up best: “If you fall behind at Royal Porthcawl, the wind won’t let you catch up,” she said, reflecting on her 2021 experience.

Meanwhile, the prize fund is lucrative. In 2024, the purse was $9.5 million, with Lydia Ko earning a record-setting $1.425 million. It remains the same this year. R&A CEO Martin Slumbers is dedicated to making this a good one. “We’re committed to pushing this championship forward,” Slumbers noted. “Fans and players deserve a world-class experience.”

Even before the first tee shot, Royal Porthcawl is already stealing hearts. Golf content platform Skratch captured the mood perfectly on Instagram, posting: “Kicking off @aigwomensopen week with a love letter to Royal Porthcawl.” Their preview called the course “Wales’ beautiful beast,” a fitting tribute to the venue’s raw charm and brutal challenge.

Ultimately, the 2025 AIG Women’s Open blends tradition with ambition. With rising stars, returning champions, and one of the world’s toughest links courses, everything is in place for a major to remember. Now, it’s time to tee it up—and see who survives the cut.

How to catch all the 2025 AIG Women’s Open action?

NBC Sports has you covered in the U.S., offering full live coverage of the 2025 AIG Women’s Open on USA Network, Golf Channel, and Peacock. Coverage begins with the first round live from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET on Thursday and Friday (USA Network). Weekend rounds run live from 7 a.m. to noon ET on USA, followed by featured group coverage from noon to 2 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.

Across the pond in the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports Golf broadcasts live from noon BST every day starting Thursday. Meanwhile, fans in select international markets can stream the action on R&A TV via the official AIG Women’s Open platform.

AIG WO Radio will offer live commentary and behind-the-scenes audio throughout the four championship days. Fans worldwide can access live radio coverage through R&A TV, the official AIG Women’s Open website, and the event app Women’s Open.

For those tuning in, the AIG Women’s Open app provides real-time leaderboards, hole-by-hole scoring updates, tee times, video highlights, and news. It’s the go-to tool for viewers who want full control of their viewing experience.