Shiho Kuwaki clinched a dramatic victory in a sudden‑death playoff against Germany's Esther Henseleit at the AIG Women’s Open, turning an extraordinary final‑hole finish into a memorable triumph. The showdown took place on the historic links of Royal Lytham & St Annes, where both competitors had battled fiercely throughout the weekend.
Henseleit had earlier produced a jaw‑dropping 45‑foot birdie putt on the 18th, a shot that vaulted her to five under par and forced a tie with Kuwaki, who had posted a solid one‑under 70 after erasing a three‑stroke deficit on Sunday. The tie sent the two golfers back to the par‑four 18th for a sudden‑death playoff. On the first extra hole, Kuwaki’s drive found the rough, but she managed to scramble a par despite the wayward shot.
Henseleit, needing a birdie to win, missed a 10‑foot putt, leaving the door open for the Japanese contender. The drama intensified on the second extra hole when Henseleit’s tee shot struck a marshal’s ankle and then lodged in a bush, forcing her to recover and ultimately card a bogey.
Kuwaki, playing conservatively, two‑putted for par and secured the win, becoming Japan’s second consecutive champion at the AIG Women’s Open. The tournament featured several other notable performances. Yealimi Noh entered the final round with a three‑stroke lead and briefly extended it to four, but a string of three bogeys over five holes on her front nine caused her to slip back, ultimately finishing third behind Nelly Korda and Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul. Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, both hoping for a home victory, ended tied for sixth, four strokes behind the leaders, after failing to mount a late charge.
Haeran Ryu, who was chasing a third straight major title, concluded the week at one under par. Kuwaki’s round began with a strong start, sharing the second‑place tie after a birdie on the second hole. However, she stumbled with consecutive bogeys from the fourth hole onward, allowing Noh to stretch her lead.
Despite the setbacks, Kuwaki demonstrated resilience, stringing together birdies and pars that kept her within striking distance. By the time the back nine arrived, the leaderboard had shifted multiple times, with Kuwaki, Henseleit, and Noh all trading the top spot. Key moments on the back nine included Kuwaki birdieing the driveable 13th, Henseleit responding with back‑to‑back birdies on 11 and 12, and both players exchanging leads as the pressure mounted. Noh, who had been the dominant force for most of the day, faltered on several holes, including a bogey on the 12th that allowed Kuwaki to close the gap.
The final round concluded with Kuwaki posting a steady string of pars, setting a clubhouse total that forced the playoff. During the playoff, Kuwaki’s composure was evident. On the first extra hole, after an errant drive, she executed a precise up‑and‑down from the middle of the fairway to secure par.
Henseleit, needing a birdie, missed her putt, and the match moved to a second hole. There, a mis‑hit tee shot that collided with a marshal and became tangled in vegetation forced Henseleit to take a penalty drop and ultimately resulted in a bogey.
Kuwaki’s steady two‑putt for par clinched the $1.5 million (£1.1 million) first‑place prize and marked the biggest win of her career. After the victory, an emotional Kuwaki, speaking through an interpreter, reflected on the significance of her achievement: "I just can't believe it. To be on a stage like this is just an honour. Every hole I was just focused on shot by shot, and just tried to enjoy it out there as much as I could.
After Miyu Yamashita's win last year, to be able to win again as a Japanese player is such an amazing feeling." Her remarks highlighted the growing prominence of Japanese golfers on the world stage and underscored the pride she felt representing her country. The Ladies European Tour will remain in England for the upcoming PIF London Championship at the Centurion Club, while the LPGA Tour takes a brief hiatus before resuming with the Standard Portland Classic in mid‑August. Fans can continue to follow the action via Sky Sports, which offers live streaming, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis across multiple platforms. The tournament also showcased the increasing accessibility of golf coverage, with recommendations for optimal viewing experiences, such as using Chrome for a more accessible video player.
Overall, the 2024 AIG Women’s Open delivered a compelling narrative of perseverance, skill, and dramatic finishes. Shiho Kuwaki’s victory not only added a new chapter to her personal career but also reinforced Japan’s rising influence in women's professional golf. The event will be remembered for its thrilling playoff, the remarkable 45‑foot birdie putt by Henseleit, and the resilience shown by all competitors amid the challenging conditions of the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes course.