A wave of upsets hit the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham as defending champion Miyu Yamashita and former major winner Georgia Hall failed to make the weekend cut.

Key Takeaways

  • Defending champion Miyu Yamashita missed the cut after a disastrous Friday round.
  • Georgia Hall returned to her championship site with family but finished at 6 over.
  • Minjee Lee's recent slump continues as she struggles with form and health.
  • Thailand's Aunchisa Utama provided a bright spot, successfully making the cut in her first major.

The 2026 AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes has delivered unexpected drama, as several heavyweights failed to advance to the weekend. The most stunning exit was undoubtedly defending champion Miyu Yamashita. Struggling with bunker trouble and inconsistent play, Yamashita carded a 77 on Friday, finishing at 7 over par—marking her first missed cut in a major since 2024.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the technical difficulty of the Royal Lytham course, combined with the psychological pressure of defending a title, has created a high-attrition environment. When top-tier players like Yamashita and Minjee Lee falter, it reshapes the entire competitive landscape of the tournament.

Georgia Hall's return to the site of her major glory eight years ago was a sentimental journey. Accompanied by her fiancé Paul Dunne and infant son Conor, Hall's focus was split between family and professional competition. She finished at 6 over, missing the 4-over cut threshold. Despite the sporting disappointment, Hall expressed gratitude for being able to compete following her recent motherhood journey.

"The gap between a major victory and a missed cut can be razor-thin when playing on a course as demanding as Lytham."

The struggles continued for Minjee Lee, whose recent form has been erratic. After withdrawing from the Scottish Open due to illness, Lee finished this week at 7 over, struggling significantly with fairway accuracy. Additionally, world No. 1 amateur Kiara Romero missed the cut in her third consecutive professional event, though she remains in contention for the Mark H. McCormack Medal.

Historical Background

Royal Lytham is a course steeped in legends. In 2009, Catriona Matthew performed a feat that remains etched in golf history, winning the championship just 11 weeks after giving birth to her daughter, Sophie.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Who was the biggest surprise to miss the cut?
Answer: Defending champion Miyu Yamashita was the most significant name to miss the cut after a quadruple-bogey on the 18th hole.

Question 2: Did any new players shine?
Answer: Yes, 35-year-old Aunchisa Utama of Thailand successfully made the cut in her very first major appearance.