24-YO who beat Charley Hull accepts 2025 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Award

A 24-year-old golfer, who managed to keep Charley Hull at bay in the 2025 AIG Women's Open, was awarded this year's Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Award.

The golfer from Kettering has finished in the runner-up spot twice in the AIG Women's Open, in 2023 and 2025. In this year's major at Royal Porthcawl, Charley Hull finished with a T2, two strokes behind the winner Miyu Yamashita.

The Japanese professional golfer was awarded the 2025 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Award. After receiving the accolade, she shared her feelings during the event:

"I am truly honored to win this award. I am very happy to stand here today. I am also grateful to have my name included among many wonderful players. I will keep working hard and try to win many more tournaments."

Take a look at the LPGA Tour's Instagram post:

Yamashita happens to be the third Japanese pro to win this accolade since its introduction. The award, named after Louise Suggs, one of the founding members of the LPGA, is earned by LPGA Tour rookies based on the most points earned in official Tour events.

Yamashita bagged 1436 points on the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Award list this year, edging out Rio Takeda by more than a hundred points. Apart from the two wins on the LPGA Tour this year, the golfer bagged 12 top-10s in 25 starts, missing the cut twice.

When Miyu Yamashita left Charley Hull shocked with her score in 2025 AIG Women's Open

In August 2025, Charley Hull and Miyu Yamashita were in contention at the AIG Women's Open. At the end of Day 2, the Japanese stood at 11-under after carding 4-under par in the opening round and 7-under par in the second.

Hull was stunned while talking to Sky Sports about Yamashita being 11-under at Royal Porthcawl. The three-time LPGA Tour winner stated:

"When I was walking down the third hole today, I was like, how is she 11 under par? It was pretty crazy. But obviously, I think she had the better side of the draw."

Yamashita won the 2025 AIG Women's Open, leaving behind Charley Hull and Minami Katsu in T2. She became the second Japanese pro to clinch a major championship in 2025, apart from Mao Saigo. Yamashita's major victory in Royal Porthcawl also cemented her name in the list of 2025 Rolex First-Time Winners.

Edited by Hitesh Nigam