Shiho Kuwaki clinched a dramatic victory in a sudden‑death playoff against Germany's Esther Henseleit at the AIG Women’s Open, delivering one of the most unforgettable conclusions in recent major‑championship history. The showdown unfolded on the storied fairways of Royal Lytham & St Annes, where both competitors had already shown remarkable resilience throughout a demanding final round. On the 18th hole of regulation play, Henseleit produced a spectacular 45‑foot birdie putt that lifted her score to five under par, matching Kuwaki's one‑under 70.
The birdie not only erased a three‑stroke gap but also forced the tournament into a playoff, as both players stood side by side on the 18th green with identical totals. The tension was palpable, and the gallery braced for what would become a historic finish.
The first extra hole was a par‑four, and both golfers found themselves in precarious positions after their tee shots. Kuwaki’s drive veered off the intended line, leaving her in the rough. Demonstrating composure, she managed a delicate recovery shot that set up a manageable approach, and ultimately two‑putted for par. Henseleit, meanwhile, missed a 10‑foot birdie putt that would have ended the contest instantly, settling for par as well.
The deadlock persisted, and the two competitors moved to the second playoff hole. On the second sudden‑death hole, Henseleit’s tee shot struck a marshal’s ankle before ricocheting into a bush, forcing her to scramble back onto the fairway.
The mishap resulted in a bogey, while Kuwaki calmly two‑putted for par, securing the win and becoming the second consecutive Japanese champion at the AIG Women’s Open. The tournament featured several other notable storylines. Yealimi Noh entered the final round with a three‑stroke lead and briefly extended her advantage to four strokes. However, a stretch of three bogeys over five holes on her front nine caused her momentum to sputter, and she ultimately finished third, behind Nelly Korda and Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul.
Hull and Lottie Woad, both hoping to capitalize on the home‑field advantage, fell short, tying for sixth after a late‑round rally failed to materialize. South Korea’s Haeran Ryu, who was chasing a third consecutive major, concluded the event at one under par. Kuwaki’s round began with a promising birdie on the second hole, but she slipped back with consecutive bogeys on holes four and five as Noh expanded her lead. The Japanese contender recovered with a birdie‑two on the front nine, narrowing the gap to a single stroke.
Henseleit, meanwhile, experienced a mixed series of birdies and bogeys, keeping the leaderboard fluid. The back nine saw multiple lead changes: Noh briefly reclaimed the top spot, only for Kuwaki to surge ahead with a birdie on the 13th.
Henseleit responded with a clutch birdie on the 15th, tying the leader and setting up the dramatic finish. The final round’s climax arrived when Henseleit’s 72nd‑hole birdie forced the playoff.
Both players entered the extra holes with their emotions high and their focus razor‑sharp. Kuwaki’s ability to recover from a wayward drive on the first playoff hole and Henseleit’s missed birdie putt highlighted the fine margins that separate victory from defeat in elite golf.
After the win, an elated Kuwaki, speaking through an interpreter, expressed disbelief at her achievement. "I just can't believe it," she said. "Being on a stage like this is an honour.
Every hole I was just focused on shot by shot, and I tried to enjoy it as much as I could. After Miyu Yamashita's win last year, to win again as a Japanese player feels amazing." The triumph awards Kuwaki the $1.5 million (£1.1 million) first‑place prize and marks the biggest win of her professional career.
Her victory also ensures that the Ladies European Tour will remain in England for the upcoming PIF London Championship at the Centurion Club, while the LPGA Tour will pause for a week before resuming with the Standard Portland Classic in August. Overall, the AIG Women’s Open delivered a compelling narrative of perseverance, skill, and the unpredictable drama that only a major championship can provide. The playoff between Kuwaki and Henseleit will be remembered as a testament to the mental fortitude required at the highest level of women's golf, and it adds another exciting chapter to the storied history of Royal Lytham & St Annes.