Robots prepare major golf venue for first time in history at AIG Women’s Open

Husqvarna - world leaders in robotic mowing and official supplier of the AIG Women’s Open, have today announced that robots are cutting the playing surfaces for a major golf championship in the United Kingdom for the first time in history.

With preparations underway for this week's AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales, the robotic mowers have been exclusively cutting the course’s fairways and practice area.

The new robotic innovation at the 2025 AIG Women’s Open operates via an Exact Positioning Operating System (EPOS) that enables robotic mowers to operate autonomously within virtual boundaries, via a satellite connection.

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• AIG Women's Open R1 / R2 Tee Times

In a first for an R&A championship, a fleet of 15 robotic mowers including Husqvarna’s CEORA and Automower models, will begin work at 1.30am to cut Royal Porthcawl’s fairways, supporting the home greenkeeping team as they prepare the course for the largest women’s sporting event ever to be played in Wales.

The robotic mowers finish at around 5am, before being returned to recharge – clearing the way for the greenkeeping team to commence their vital daily tasks.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy team, golf’s governing body (outside of United States and Mexico), continues to explore new technologies that deliver high performance golf courses in a sustainable way, and the use of robots for the first time at a global championship, aims to showcase innovations in sustainable golf course maintenance on one of the biggest stages in world golf. 

Richard Windows Assistant Director – Sustainable Agronomy at The R&A, said: “The R&A’s agronomy team across the globe is focused on delivering high performance surfaces in a sustainable way. At the AIG Women’s Open, the Husqvarna portfolio is helping us deliver this goal through improved resource management, regular lightweight mowing and reduced carbon usage.” 

Three-time major champion, Anna Nordqvist, celebrated the quality of Royal Porthcawl ahead of taking on the AIG Women’s Open this week: “I’ve played this course a few times and honestly, I didn’t think it could get much better, but I’ve never seen it looking and playing so well. I’m really excited to get out there and play golf on the biggest stage, in these top conditions.” 

Course Manager Ian Kinley has championed the use of robotic technology at Royal Porthcawl since first working with Husqvarna in January. Throughout the championship, autonomous technology will enable his team to focus their efforts upon other key areas of the course, such as the greens, tees and bunkers.

Kinley said: “With the AIG Women’s Open set to be the largest-ever women’s sporting event in Wales, we know there’s tremendous pressure to produce playing surfaces that are worthy of such a high-profile event. It’s been priceless to be able to lean on the support of the Husqvarna team as we prepare for the championship.

“Autonomous machinery aligns closely with our commitment to more sustainable practices at Royal Porthcawl.  We’re invested in using robots on our course long term and we’re incredibly proud to be one of the first venues in the world to use this technology during the hosting of one of golf’s major championships.”

Samantha Donnelly, Senior Marketing Manager at Husqvarn, said: "As women's golf grows, we believe it has never been more important to build on the momentum and help drive progression forward, on and off the course. With this in mind, we are thrilled to be at the forefront of this unprecedented move for golf, laying the future foundations for how elite tournaments will be prepared, while increasing our foothold and support for the women's game at large, as official suppliers for the AIG Women's Open."  

Throughout the AIG Women’s Open a team of Husqvarna experts will be on hand to support the championship in the deployment of 15 Husqvarna CEORA 546 EPOS and two Automower 580L EPOS.

English superstar Lottie Woad, 21, starts a warm 7/1 favourite for the season’s final major of the season, fresh off landing her first LPGA title on her professional debut at the Women’s Scottish Open.

The AIG Women’s Open today announced a record prize purse at Royal Porthcawl.