During a breakthrough moment during the LPGA Tour in rookie season, Miyu Yamashita won her first professional victory and her first major title at the 2025 AIG Women’s Open. It was her winner interview and the gear she used to win the competition.
Can you tell us how you feel now?
Miyu Yamashita: This is my goal to win big championships since I was a kid, and it was a very satisfying feeling to be able to do it, very special.
ask: I know Miyu means I have a beautiful dream. So can I ask if winning the Women’s Open is part of that dream?
Miyu Yamashita: This has always been my goal, something I have worked hard for me all my life, you can say a dream. It’s the result of working hard every day, making changes, making improvements, and being able to do and calling yourself a champion now.
ask: When you arrive at the course on Friday morning and see it very still and calm, do you know this is a huge opportunity to take the lead to victory?
Miyu Yamashita: Obviously, the conditions do determine how you score on the golf course and make a big difference. It was great to be able to shoot that day and release such excellent scores.
ask: What do you know about Wales before you come here this week?
Miyu Yamashita: I know there is a lot of nature, a lot of wildlife. So, being able to spend here in nature and the countryside is something I’m looking forward to, and it’s a great thing this week.
ask: Miyu, I know you have a lot of emotions when you spend your celebration moments with many other Japanese players. Where does this emotion come from?
Miyu Yamashita: It was a surprising feeling to be with me and celebrate, and it was so good for me. It’s something I’m grateful for. Having so many Japanese players doing well right now has provided me with motivation and keep me moving forward. For all of us, supporting each other is something I really look forward to in the future.
ask: There have been a handful of major winners from Japan over the past few seasons. What is it to see your fellows have had a lot of success in these competitions that prompt you to go out and get your own big win?
Miyu Yamashita: It’s amazing. It’s great to see Saigo win earlier this year, and it just made me work harder. Joining that elite group is a very unique thing and it will be a great feeling.
ask: Now you have a berth in the Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown team for the Japanese team. How excited are you about the opportunity to represent your country later this season?
Miyu Yamashita: International champion is my goal. I really want to join the team. So now I can really look forward to representing my country and doing my best.
ask: What was it like to have no best stuff yesterday and still be able to hone and still stay ahead?
Miyu Yamashita: As you said, yesterday I didn’t have the best. After the round, I talked to my coach’s dad and we just went through some things in the swing and the game and I was very happy with how the adjustments were going to win today.
ask: Have you gone to the practice range and dealt with something like you solved something before moving forward today?
Miyu Yamashita: Yesterday after the round, we did get into practice, but still don’t feel like I think it should be. When we got home, we were together, we browsed some details on some swings and found some points to improve, and today, it felt much better from the start.
miyu, thank you very much. We look forward to celebrating your next championship.
Miyu Yamashita: Thank you very much.
Here is what Miyu Yamashita uses to win the AIG Women’s Open:
- Srixon ZXI 9° Driver
- Srixon ZX MK II (3, 5) Fairway Wood
- Srixon ZX MK II (4, 5) Hybrid
- Srixon ZXI5 Irons (6i)
- Srixon ZXI7 Irons (PW -7i)
- Cleveland Golf RTZ (48°, 52°, 58°)
- Srixon Z-Star XV Golf
