The final round of the 2025 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales had no shortage of thrilling moments, but one shot stood out above all.
England’s Mimi Rhodes pulled off one of the most incredible holes-in-one ever seen, and it came with an unexpected twist — a little help from her playing partner’s golf ball.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Hole-in-One
On the par-3 5th hole, Mimi Rhodes stepped up to the tee after her playing partner, Steph Kyriacou, had already hit a near-perfect shot that stopped just two inches from the hole. Rhodes, facing a nearly identical shot, struck the ball cleanly, and it followed the same line as Kyriacou’s.
But in a wild turn of events, Rhodes’ ball struck Kyriacou’s and bounced directly into the cup — scoring a rare and lucky hole-in-one.
The crowd reacted with disbelief, and so did Rhodes herself. She held her hands to her face, stunned at what had just happened. The moment was pure golf magic, and it’s the kind of shot that might never be repeated. If golf had an “assist” stat, Kyriacou would have definitely earned one for her role in this unforgettable ace.
A Memorable Major Despite Final Score
Though Mimi Rhodes finished the round with a 74, slipping to a tied 19th position (T19), it still marks her best-ever result in a major tournament. The 24-year-old can walk away proud, especially with a highlight that will be remembered for years to come.
Her playing partner, Steph Kyriacou, also had a strong tournament, finishing tied for 8th place (T8), notching her fourth top-10 finish in a major. While she didn’t get the ace herself, she still played an essential role in one of the most talked-about shots of the event.
Championship Recap: Yamashita Holds On
While Rhodes provided the day’s best moment, it was Japan’s Miyu Yamashita who emerged as the 2025 AIG Women’s Open champion. She had to hold off a fierce challenge from Charley Hull, who had the crowd fully behind her on Sunday.
Hull got within one shot of Yamashita on the back nine but faltered late with two bogeys, finishing just short.
Yamashita’s steady play across the final stretch secured her first major title, capping off what has been an impressive season for the Japanese golfer.
The AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl will be remembered not just for Yamashita’s win, but for the magic on the 5th hole — when Mimi Rhodes’ ball used Steph Kyriacou’s as a backboard and found the cup.
It’s a reminder of how unpredictable and thrilling golf can be, and for Rhodes, it’s a career moment that will stay with her forever, no matter where her journey takes her next.
