The defending AIG Women’s Open champion has outlined the task facing players at Royal Lytham & St Annes this week.

Defending champion Miyu Yamashita acknowledges that Royal Lytham & St Annes will provide the AIG Women’s Open field with a stern challenge this week.

The 50th staging of the tournament begins on Thursday with players facing the Fylde links for the first time since Georgia Hall’s victory in 2018.

Yamashita, who saw off Charley Hull and Minami Katsu to win by two shots at Royal Porthcawl last year, is under no illusion as to the task ahead this time around.

Asked for her first impression of RL&SA, the Japanese player said: “I think (my) first impression was that there was (sic) just a lot of bunkers on this golf course.

“Because this course is so close to the sea, the wind is very strong. That’s something I’m going to have to navigate through this week. It’s definitely going to be a challenge.

“Staying out of those bunkers and making sure I manage myself well around this golf course is going to be key to a good performance this week.”

Yamashita comes to the Fylde coast, looking to be the first player to defend the Women’s Open title since Yani Tseng did so at Carnoustie in 2011.

If she is to emulate Tseng, the 24-year-old acknowledged her game on and around the green could have a big part to play.

“Yani Tseng winning in 2011 was of course an amazing achievement,” she said.

“To be here again, to have the chance to be the defending champion, is something I really look forward to, and just got to focus on the golf and my performance this week.

“I don’t hit it the longest but things like short game and putting are really important to me and getting my distance control right is something I paid really, really close attention to, and something that's really helped my game.”