The 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open, the final major of the season for female golfers, 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‑level competition, Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki emerged as the champion, capturing her first major title in a thrilling playoff that highlighted the depth and excitement of the field. Kuwaki entered the final round tied at five strokes under par with Germany’s Esther Henseleit. Both players had displayed remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, but the decisive moment arrived on the 72nd hole when Henseleit holed an extraordinary 45‑foot birdie putt, matching Kuwaki’s final‑round 70 and forcing the contest into extra holes.
The playoff began with both competitors making par on the first sudden‑death hole, but Henseleit missed a 10‑foot putt that would have sealed the victory, while Kuwaki was forced to scramble a four after finding herself in thick rough and having to pitch out. The tension escalated on the second playoff hole when Henseleit’s tee shot struck a marshal and ricocheted into a bush, leaving her with a difficult recovery that resulted in a bogey. In contrast, Kuwaki managed to find the green with her approach and calmly two‑putted for the win, clinching the championship by a single stroke in the playoff.
Finishing just one shot 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 ending the tournament one stroke further back. Home hopefuls Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, who had been looking to secure a British victory and a third consecutive win at Royal Lytham, finished tied for sixth, four strokes behind the leaders.
South Korean contender Ha‑Ran Ryu, who was aiming for a third straight major title, concluded the event at one under par. Only 11 of the 68 competitors who made the cut managed to finish under par, underscoring the challenging conditions that Royal Lytham presented throughout the week. Kuwaki’s triumph marked the second consecutive win for a Japanese golfer at the AIG Women’s Open, and she walked away with the tournament’s top prize of $1.5 million.
The AIG Women’s Open is the final leg of the five‑major women’s golf calendar. Earlier in the season, Nelly Korda captured the Chevron Championship and the U.S.
Women’s Open, while Ha‑Ran Ryu added the Amundi Evian Championship to her KPMG Women’s PGA Championship victory. These results illustrate the global nature of the sport, with champions emerging from the United States, South Korea, Japan, and Europe. 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. Fans were encouraged to stream the event via the NOW platform, which offers contract‑free access to live golf and other sports content.
Beyond the competition itself, the event highlighted the broader appeal of golf tourism in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Prospective players and enthusiasts were invited to search for and book tee times at any of the 1,700 courses across the region, emphasizing the sport’s accessibility and the economic impact of major tournaments on local communities.
In summary, Shiho Kuwaki’s victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes not only added her name to the prestigious list of women’s major champions but also demonstrated the excitement and unpredictability that defines top‑level women's golf. The playoff drama, the narrow margins separating the leaders, and the international diversity of the field all contributed to a memorable conclusion to the 2025 season. The tournament’s legacy will endure as a testament to skill, perseverance, and the global reach of the women’s game.