Shiho Kuwaki captured a dramatic victory in a sudden‑death playoff against Germany's Esther Henseleit to claim the AIG Women’s Open title, delivering one of the most unforgettable conclusions in recent major‑championship history. The showdown unfolded at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes, where both competitors had battled fiercely throughout the final round, only to find themselves tied at five under par as they approached the 18th hole. On the last regulation hole, Henseleit produced a remarkable 45‑foot birdie putt that vaulted her back into contention, matching Kuwaki's one‑under 70 for the day and erasing a three‑stroke deficit that had seemed insurmountable just hours earlier.
The pair then proceeded to the par‑four 18th for a sudden‑death playoff. Kuwaki, after a wayward tee shot that left her in a tricky position, managed to salvage a par, while Henseleit missed a 10‑foot birdie attempt that would have handed her the championship outright. The drama did not end there.
On the second extra hole, Henseleit’s tee shot struck a marshal’s ankle before finding a bush, forcing her to hack the ball back onto the fairway and ultimately resulting in a bogey. Kuwaki, by contrast, steadied herself and two‑putted for par, clinching the win and becoming Japan's second consecutive champion at the AIG Women’s Open, following Miyu Yamashita's triumph the previous year. The tournament featured several other notable storylines.
Yealimi Noh entered the final round with a three‑stroke lead and briefly extended it to four, but a stretch of three bogeys over five holes on her front nine saw her slip back, eventually 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 shy of the leaders, while South Korea's Haeran Ryu, who was chasing a third straight major, concluded the week at one under par.
Kuwaki's performance throughout the day was a study in resilience. She started the round tied for second, quickly taking a birdie on the second hole, but then dropped a couple of shots with consecutive bogeys on holes four and five as Noh extended her advantage.
Nevertheless, Kuwaki fought back, posting an impressive birdie‑two on the front nine that brought her within a single stroke of the leader. Henseleit, meanwhile, experienced her own fluctuations, slipping after a bogey on the third but responding with a birdie on the sixth to stay in contention. The back nine proved to be a roller‑coaster for both players.
Noh faltered on the 12th with a bogey, allowing Kuwaki to seize a birdie on the 13th, a hole that offered a clear driveable opportunity. Henseleit responded with consecutive birdies on the 11th and 12th, drawing level once again. The lead changed hands multiple times as the competitors navigated the challenging links layout, with Kuwaki eventually establishing a one‑stroke advantage after Henseleit three‑putted from the front of the 16th green. As the final round wound down, Kuwaki set the clubhouse target with a steady series of pars, while Henseleit forced a playoff with a clutch birdie on the 72nd hole.
In the playoff, Kuwaki displayed composure under pressure, executing a flawless up‑and‑down from the middle of the fairway to match Henseleit’s par on the first extra hole. On the second hole, a simple par was enough to secure the $1.5 million (£1.1 million) winner’s purse and the biggest triumph of her career.
"I just can’t believe it," Kuwaki said through an interpreter, her voice tinged with awe. "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." The victory adds to a growing list of Japanese successes on the Ladies European Tour and underscores the global nature of women's golf.
The tour will remain in England for the PIF London Championship at the Centurion Club, while the LPGA schedule pauses for a week before the Standard Portland Classic in August. Fans can continue to follow the action via Sky Sports, which offers live streaming and on‑demand coverage without contractual commitments.
Beyond the headline result, the tournament highlighted the depth of talent across the field. Players such as Noh, Korda, Thitikul, Hull, and Ryu each demonstrated moments of brilliance, suggesting that future majors will be fiercely contested. The dramatic finish, with a 45‑foot birdie putt, a marshal‑hit tee shot, and a nail‑biting playoff, will be remembered as one of the most exciting conclusions to a women's major in recent memory. Overall, Shiho Kuwaki's triumph is a testament to perseverance, mental strength, and the ability to seize opportunities when they arise.
Her win not only continues Japan's recent dominance at the AIG Women’s Open but also inspires a new generation of golfers who dream of standing on the grand stage of a major championship.