Course Notes on Royal Porthcawl as the AIG Women's Open Gets Underway

For the first time ever, the AIG Women's Open is being held in Wales. The gentle rolling hills and jagged coastal cliffs of Royal Porthcawl have extended a warm, yet challenging welcome to the world's best.

It'll be a fair test of skills, and if the weather rolls in—brace yourselves for carnage.

Tee shots have been struck and AIG is officially underway, let's highlight a few key things to note about the course, how it's playing, and how players should navigate it.

The Opening Hole

With the wind off the sea, the first hole of the championship which usually the 18th this week to help with the grandstands and crowds—is a bit of a beast. It's a 418 yard par 4 that plays straight into the wind. Club selection throughout this hole is critical. Players can't drive the ball too far down the fairway because the landing zone is crowded with bunkers.

Second shots must be perfectly judged. If they're too long they'll leave themselves impossibly long putts. And if they fly it long, well then, they're on the beach.

One of the Best Holes in Links Golf

The third at Royal Porthcawl is regarded as one of the signature holes. Off the tee, the key is to aim for the right edge of the bunker on the left. The green is two-tiered and set close to the boundary, so precision is key with the approach to ensure landing on the right level of the green.

Ocean Views From Every Hole

Royal Porthcawl Golf Club sits on land that is bordered by the Bristol Channel with views of Swansea Bay. Those bodies of water are visible from nearly all 18 holes of the course. The club's very own Darcey Harry, who will tee it up this week is a huge fan of the views. "You can see the ocean from all the holes. We've got a lot of blind tee shots, which is different and that's going to be hard for the players to get used to.

I think it's just going to be great for spectators to come out and really see the challenge of the golf course."

Tune in to coverage now.