The 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open, the season‑ending major on the women’s tour, concluded at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club with a thrilling final leaderboard. After four days of intense competition, Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki emerged as the champion, capturing her first major title in a dramatic sudden‑death playoff that highlighted the depth of the field and the unpredictable nature of major‑championship golf. Kuwaki entered the final round tied at five strokes under par with Germany’s Esther Henseleit. Both players posted impressive rounds, but it was Henseleit’s remarkable 45‑foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole that forced the tie and sent the tournament into extra holes.
The putt not only matched Kuwaki’s final‑round 70 but also demonstrated Henseleit’s composure under pressure, setting the stage for a showdown that would be decided hole by hole. The first playoff hole saw both competitors make par. Henseleit missed a 10‑foot putt that would have clinched the championship, while Kuwaki managed to scramble a four after finding herself in thick rough and having to pitch out. The tension mounted on the second extra hole when Henseleit’s tee shot struck a marshal’s marker and ricocheted into a bush, forcing her to execute a delicate pitch back onto the fairway.
The mishap resulted in a bogey for Henseleit, whereas Kuwaki steadied herself, found the green in regulation and calmly two‑putted for the winning score. The victory not only awarded Kuwaki the coveted green jacket but also a $1.5 million first‑place prize, making her the second consecutive Japanese player to win the AIG Women’s Open. Her triumph adds to a growing list of Japanese successes on the global stage and underscores the increasing international diversity among the sport’s elite. Finishing just one stroke behind the leaders, South Korean prodigy Yealimi Noh secured third place after a challenging final‑round 74.
Noh, who had held the overnight lead, demonstrated resilience despite the setback and remained within striking distance of the title. The world’s top two ranked players, America’s Nelly Korda and Thailand’s Jeongeun “Jeeno” Thitikul, shared fourth place, each finishing one shot further back.
Their consistent performance throughout the tournament reinforced their status as the premier competitors in women’s golf. British hopefuls Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, both hoping to deliver a home victory and extend the recent streak of British winners at Royal Lytham, ended tied for sixth, four strokes behind the leaders. South Korean contender Ha‑Ran Ryu, who was chasing a third consecutive major title, also posted a respectable one‑under‑par total, illustrating the depth of talent across continents.
Statistically, the tournament was a showcase of elite play: only 11 of the 68 players who made the cut after the first two rounds managed to finish under par. This limited pool of sub‑par finishers highlights the difficulty of the Royal Lytham layout, known for its deep bunkers, firm fairways, and demanding coastal winds.
The course’s challenging nature tested every aspect of a player’s game, from driving accuracy to short‑game finesse. The AIG Women’s Open is the final major of the five‑major women’s calendar. Earlier in the season, Nelly Korda captured the Chevron Championship, while the US Women’s Open was won by another top contender. South Korean star Ha‑Ran Ryu followed her KPMG Women’s PGA Championship victory with a win at the Amundi Evian Championship, completing a remarkable run of major successes.
Beyond the competition itself, the event was broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports, which continues to be the primary home for golf coverage across the UK and Ireland. Sky Sports provides live coverage of the majors, PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, and Ladies European Tour, offering fans a comprehensive viewing experience. For those seeking flexible viewing options, streaming packages are available without long‑term contracts, allowing golf enthusiasts to watch the action on their own terms.
In addition to the on‑course drama, the tournament’s digital platforms offered a variety of supplemental content, including video highlights, player interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes features. Viewers were encouraged to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback, ensuring a seamless and accessible viewing experience across devices. For golfers inspired by the performances at Royal Lytham, the event also promoted opportunities to book tee times at over 1,700 courses throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.
By entering a city, course name, or postal code, players can find and reserve rounds at a wide range of facilities, from historic links to modern parkland courses. In summary, the 2024 AIG Women’s Open delivered a captivating finale to the women’s major season, with Shiho Kuwaki’s playoff victory serving as a testament to perseverance and skill under pressure.
The tournament highlighted the global nature of the sport, showcased emerging talents alongside established stars, and reinforced Royal Lytham & St Annes’ reputation as a demanding yet rewarding venue for championship golf.