The 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open, the season‑ending major on the women’s golf calendar, concluded at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club with a dramatic finish that will be remembered for years to come. After four days of relentless competition, Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki emerged as the champion, securing her first major title in a tense, sudden‑death playoff against Germany’s Esther Henseleit. Kuwaki and Henseleit both finished the regulation 72 holes at five strokes under par, setting the stage for an extra‑hole showdown.
The tie was the result of a thrilling final round in which the leaderboard remained fluid right up to the 18th green. Henseleit’s clutch birdie on the 72nd hole – a 45‑foot putt that matched Kuwaki’s 70‑stroke round – forced the playoff and kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.
The first playoff hole saw both competitors make par. Henseleit missed a 10‑foot putt that would have clinched the title, while Kuwaki was forced to scramble after her ball landed in thick rough, ultimately salvaging a four‑stroke hole. The tension escalated on the second extra hole when Henseleit’s tee shot collided with a marshal, ricocheted into a bush, and required an awkward pitch back onto the fairway. The mishap resulted in a bogey for Henseleit, whereas Kuwaki found the green in regulation and two‑putted for birdie, sealing the victory.
The playoff drama underscored the depth of talent in this field. Overnight leader Yealimi Noh, who had held a one‑stroke lead after the third round, fell back with a final‑round 74 and finished just one shot behind the leaders in solo third place.
The world’s top two players, Nelly Korda and Jeongeun “Jeeno” Thitikul, shared fourth place, each one stroke further back, demonstrating that the competition was truly global and fiercely contested. Home hopefuls Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, both hoping to deliver a British victory and a third consecutive win at Royal Lytham, ended tied for sixth, four strokes off the lead. South Korean star Ha‑Ran Ryu, who was chasing a third straight major, also finished at one under par, reflecting a solid but ultimately insufficient performance to challenge for the title.
Only 11 of the 68 players who made the cut survived the weekend under par, highlighting the challenging conditions that Royal Lytham is known for – deep bunkers, firm fairways, and unpredictable coastal winds. Kuwaki’s triumph marked the second consecutive win for a Japanese golfer at the AIG Women’s Open, and her $1.5 million first‑place prize underscored the growing international reach of women’s golf.
The AIG Women’s Open is the final leg of the five‑major series in the women’s schedule. Earlier in the year, Nelly Korda captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open, while Ha‑Ran Ryu added the Amundi Evian Championship to her resume after a victorious run at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. The major season, therefore, showcased a diverse set of champions from three different continents.
Broadcast coverage of the tournament was provided exclusively by Sky Sports, which continues to be the primary home for live golf across the major tours, including the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, and Ladies European Tour. Viewers were encouraged to watch via Chrome for optimal video accessibility, and Sky Sports also offered a contract‑free streaming option for fans who prefer digital platforms. Beyond the tournament itself, the AIG Women’s Open serves as a showcase for the broader golf ecosystem in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Golfers and enthusiasts can explore more than 1,700 courses across the region, with online tools that allow users to search by course name, city, or postal code to find tee times and special offers. In summary, Shiho Kuwaki’s victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes was a testament to resilience, skill, and composure under pressure.
Her win not only adds a new chapter to the storied history of the AIG Women’s Open but also highlights the increasingly competitive and international nature of women’s professional golf. The tournament’s dramatic finish, the strong performances from the world’s top players, and the historic setting all combined to deliver a memorable conclusion to the 2024 women’s major season.