'This is really huge for us here in Wales'

THIS weekend, tens of thousands of people will arrive in Porthcawl and stand together in almost complete silence, in what is forecast to be glorious weather, to see a Wales first.

- BRYANA FRANCIS Reporter [e-mail]

The exclusive Royal Porthcawl Golf Club course is perched right on the edge of Wales’ jaw-dropping coastline, and will this weekend host the AIG Women’s Open.

The tournament is not only a pinnacle of the golfing calendar but a first for Wales - the largest ever women’s only sporting event to be held here - but one competitor knows every ridge, bunker and fairway better than most.

Having been a member for six years, Darcey Harry is more used to playing a round at Porthcawl with her dad, but will, when she tees off at lunchtime today, compete against the world’s best at her home course.

While her competition will come from around the world - including last year’s winner Lydia Ko - Harry, from Dinas Powys, has a much shorter commute when she arrives at the clubhouse to tee off today.

The 22-year-old will begin her tournament today, in a group with former-winner Georgia Hall and Jennifer Kupcho, for what is only her second ever major.

‘As she takes to the green, she'll have some familiar support, not just in the crowd, but her caddy will be her boyfriend and fellow professional golfer Jacob Skov Olesen.

Given she expects to be nervous, that call is, she said “the best decision”.