The final standings from the 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open— the season‑closing major on the women’s golf calendar—were posted after the dramatic conclusion at Royal Lytham & St Annes. In a thrilling finish that saw more than a dozen competitors in the mix, Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki captured her first major championship by prevailing in a sudden‑death playoff. Kuwaki and Germany’s Esther Henseleit were tied at five strokes under par after 72 holes, each posting a final‑round 70. Henseleit’s decisive moment came on the 72nd hole when she holed a 45‑foot birdie putt to pull level with Kuwaki, forcing the contest into extra holes.
The two women entered the playoff with the tournament’s biggest prize and a place in history at stake. The first playoff hole saw both players make par.
Henseleit missed a 10‑foot putt that would have secured the win, while Kuwaki, after a challenging pitch from deep rough, managed to scramble a four‑stroke hole. The tension escalated on the second extra hole when Henseleit’s tee shot struck a marshal’s marker and ricocheted into a bush, leaving her with a difficult recovery pitch that resulted in a bogey. Kuwaki, by contrast, found the green in regulation and calmly two‑putted to clinch the victory.
The playoff drama underscored the depth of the field. Overnight leader Yealimi Noh, who had held the top spot after the third round, fell one stroke short of the win, finishing solo third after a final‑round 74.
The world’s two highest‑ranked players, Nelly Korda and Jeongeun “Jeeno” Thitikul, shared fourth place, each a further stroke behind the leaders. Home hopefuls Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, who had been dreaming of a British victory and a third consecutive triumph at Royal Lytham, were tied for sixth, four strokes back from the leaders. South Korea’s Ha‑Ran Ryu, who was chasing a third straight major title, also finished on a respectable one‑under‑par. Only 11 of the 68 competitors who made the weekend cut managed to finish under par, highlighting the challenging conditions that often accompany links‑style golf at Royal Lytham.
Kuwaki’s win marked the second consecutive major for a Japanese player and earned her a $1.5 million first‑place prize. The AIG Women’s Open is the final leg of the five‑major women’s golf season.
Earlier in the year, Nelly Korda secured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ha‑Ran Ryu added the Amundi Evian Championship to her KPMG Women’s PGA Championship triumph, completing a remarkable run of major victories. For fans seeking comprehensive coverage, Sky Sports remains the exclusive broadcaster of the major championships, as well as the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, and Ladies European Tour. Viewers can subscribe to Sky Sports or stream the action without a long‑term contract, enjoying live coverage of the sport’s biggest moments.
Golf enthusiasts looking to play the courses featured in the tournament can browse a network of more than 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland. By entering a city, course name, or postal code, players can discover pricing, availability, and booking options, though the search tool may occasionally return no results and require a different query. In summary, Shiho Kuwaki’s breakthrough victory, secured through composure and clutch putting in a high‑pressure playoff, capped an eventful week at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The tournament showcased the global nature of women’s golf, with top talent from Japan, Germany, the United States, South Korea, and Thailand all competing for the sport’s most prestigious titles.
The AIG Women’s Open once again proved why it is regarded as a cornerstone of the women’s major schedule, delivering drama, skill, and unforgettable moments for players and fans alike.