The 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open, the season‑ending major on the women’s schedule, concluded at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club with a dramatic finish that will be remembered for years to come. After four rounds of high‑quality golf, Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki emerged as the champion, clinching her first major title in a thrilling playoff against Germany’s Esther Henseleit.
Kuwaki and Henseleit entered the final round tied at five strokes under par. Both players had displayed remarkable composure throughout the day, but it was Henseleit who created the most memorable moment on the 72nd hole. From a distance of roughly 45 feet, she sank a spectacular birdie putt, matching Kuwaki’s 70‑stroke round and forcing the tournament into extra holes. The sudden‑death playoff began with both competitors making par on the first extra hole; Henseleit missed a ten‑foot putt that would have sealed the victory, while Kuwaki was forced to scramble after her ball landed in thick rough, eventually saving par with a four‑stroke play.
The tension heightened on the second playoff hole when Henseleit’s tee shot ricocheted off a marshal’s marker and vanished into a bush, leaving her with a difficult recovery. She managed to pitch the ball back onto the fairway but was unable to avoid a bogey.
In contrast, Kuwaki found the green in regulation and calmly two‑putted for the winning score, securing the championship by a single stroke in the playoff. Finishing just one stroke behind the leaders, overnight leader Yealimi Noh settled for third place after a final‑round 74. The world’s top two players, Nelly Korda and Jeongeun “Jeeno” Thitikul, shared fourth place, each a further stroke back. Home hopefuls Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, who had been chasing a third consecutive British winner at Royal Lytham, tied for sixth, four strokes behind the leaders.
South Korean star Ha‑ran Ryu, who was aiming for a third straight major triumph, also finished on one under par. Only 11 of the 68 competitors who made the cut managed to finish under par for the tournament, underscoring the difficulty of the Royal Lytham layout and the challenging weather conditions that often accompany a British Open.
Kuwaki’s victory marks the second consecutive win for a Japanese golfer at the AIG Women’s Open, and her $1.5 million prize purse reflects the growing financial rewards in women’s professional golf. The AIG Women’s Open is the final major of the five‑major women’s calendar. Earlier in the year, Nelly Korda captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ha‑ran Ryu added the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to her résumé before triumphing at the Amundi Evian Championship.
These achievements illustrate the depth of talent competing across the LPGA, Ladies European Tour, and other international circuits. Beyond the competition itself, the event highlighted the continued partnership with Sky Sports, which retains exclusive live broadcasting rights for the majors, PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, and Ladies European Tour. Fans are encouraged to subscribe to Sky Sports or use the NOW streaming platform for contract‑free access to golf coverage.
For those inspired by the tournament and looking to experience world‑class courses themselves, a network of over 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland is available for booking. Golfers can search by course name, city, or postal code to find the perfect venue for their next round.
In summary, Shiho Kuwaki’s maiden major victory was a testament to perseverance, skill, and the ability to thrive under pressure. Her playoff win against Esther Henseleit provided a fitting climax to a tournament that featured a deep field, numerous contenders, and the timeless challenge of Royal Lytham & St Annes. The 2025 AIG Women’s Open will be remembered not only for its dramatic finish but also for the broader narrative of international talent shaping the future of women’s golf.