In a AIG Women’s Open marked by the wind, three amateurs have managed to break into the world’s best to compete over the weekend. Two of them are Spanish: Paula Martín Sampedro (+2) and Carla Bernat (+2), who have delivered a commendable performance on a course that has shown no mercy, even to the big names of the circuit. The third amateur in the mix is the Thai Jeneath Wong, who also managed to finish at +2 total, right on the cut line.
With that result, the three players will compete for the prestigious Smyth Salver, the prize awarded each year to the best amateur golfer at the British Open. The trophy has history and weight: it has been held by names like Lydia Ko, Danielle Kang, Georgia Hall, Leona Maguire, Rose Zhang, or Lottie Woad, the winner in 2024.
Paula and Carla will be, by the way, the only two Spanish representatives playing over the weekend at Royal Porthcawl. The setback of the other four members of the Armada has been notable. Especially painful was that of Carlota Ciganda, who bowed out with another round of 78 strokes and a total of +12. One more stroke was made by Julia López (+13). The first Major of her career where she missed the cut, the one from Benahavís. Fifth time was the charm. Marta Martín (+13) and María Hernández (+10) will also not be part of the weekend’s play and were far from a cut that closed at +2.
The performance of Paula Martín this Friday was particularly impressive. The Madrid native played in the afternoon, in one of the most wind-affected shifts, and managed to survive the most dangerous holes of the final stretch with intelligence and determination. In the punishing trio —14, 15, and 16— where many saw their chances vanish, Paula maintained her composure and with a round of 74 strokes secured her qualification for the weekend.
At 20 years old, Paula has a wealth of experience. After her triumph in the British Amateur and in the European Individual and Team Championships, she can add the honour of the Smyth Salver this week.
Also at +2 total is Carla Bernat, who continues a brilliant season after winning the ANWA. Her orderly and solid play has allowed her to make the cut. Bernat already knows what it’s like to compete in demanding settings, and her performance at Royal Porthcawl confirms it. A shame as she was -1 in total with five holes to go, but the wind increased and she struggled to adapt. Three bogeys added some suspense to the end of the day.
From Thailand comes the third protagonist of this amateur story: Jeneath Wong, another young player with university experience in the United States and proven talent. Tied at +2 with the Spanish players, Wong also keeps her chances alive to win the Smyth Salver in what promises to be an open duel, likely influenced by the weekend’s wind.
The prize was established in 2003 and has been won only once by a Spaniard: Luna Sobrón, in 2015. Ten years later, history could repeat itself. For that to happen, Paula and Carla must overcome not only Wong but also the unpredictable gusts of Royal Porthcawl.
Making the cut in this Women’s Open is already a success for both players, but if one of them manages to lift the amateur trophy, it will be another notch in the future that the ‘fighters’ are sowing in world golf.
