Shiho Kuwaki claimed her first major championship after defeating Esther Henseleit on the second hole of a sudden-death play-off at the 2026 AIG Women’s Open.
The Japanese golfer made par on the second extra hole at Royal Lytham & St Annes, while Henseleit dropped a shot to bring a tense final round to an end.
Both players had completed 72 holes on five under par after matching final rounds of 70. Kuwaki therefore finished with a total of 279 before holding her nerve in the play-off to secure the biggest victory of her career.
Kuwaki Survives a Dramatic Play-Off
Kuwaki had appeared set to win the championship in regulation after completing her final round at five under.
However, Henseleit produced one of the shots of the tournament on the 18th green. The German converted a birdie putt from approximately 40 feet to join Kuwaki at the top of the leaderboard and force a play-off.
Henseleit then created another opportunity to win on the first extra hole.
Kuwaki found deep grass short of a bunker and was forced to lay up before playing her third shot onto the green. Her recovery left a three-foot putt, which she converted to save par.
Henseleit had a birdie attempt from around 15 feet that would have secured the title, but the putt stayed out. Both players returned for a second play-off hole.
This time, Kuwaki’s par proved enough. Henseleit made bogey, leaving the 23-year-old Japanese player to celebrate her first major championship.
A Patient Final-Round Performance
Kuwaki began Sunday three strokes behind overnight leader Yealimi Noh, but remained within reach as the final group struggled to take control.
Her one-under-par 70 contained enough accuracy and restraint to move her into the clubhouse lead. Royal Lytham’s bunkers, firm approaches and demanding closing stretch discouraged unnecessary risks, making pars increasingly valuable as the pressure grew.
Kuwaki had remained close to the leaders throughout the week. She opened with a five-under 66 before rounds of 70 and 73 left her at four under heading into Sunday.
She did not lead after any of the opening three rounds. Instead, her consistent scoring placed her in position to benefit when the players behind her failed to build a decisive advantage.
Jeeno Thitikul had set the early pace with a seven-under 64 on Thursday. Haeran Ryu moved ahead at halfway, while Noh carried a three-shot lead into the final round. Kuwaki was the player who remained in contention through each change at the top before taking her opportunity on Sunday.
Noh’s Three-Shot Lead Disappears
Noh began the final round on seven under and appeared to have the clearest route to the title.
The American had recovered from a difficult opening to her third round, playing the back nine in 33 to sign for a 69. And move three strokes clear of five players tied for second.
Sunday proved more difficult.
A three-over-par 74 dropped Noh to four under for the championship, one shot outside the play-off. She finished alone in third place, having been unable to find the same control that carried her clear on Saturday.
Noh still recorded her best result in the championship and remained competitive until the closing stages. However, Kuwaki and Henseleit were able to capitalise as the overnight advantage disappeared.
Henseleit Falls Narrowly Short
Henseleit’s closing birdie gave her a chance to become Germany’s first winner of the AIG Women’s Open.
Her final-round 70 followed scores of 73, 69 and 67, with Saturday’s four-under round moving her into the final group alongside Noh.
The Olympic silver medallist recovered from an opening round above par and improved her position throughout the championship. Her long birdie on the final hole showed the composure required to extend the contest when Kuwaki was already preparing for a possible victory.
Henseleit also had the first clear opportunity to finish the play-off, but her birdie attempt on the opening extra hole did not fall. A bogey on the next hole then ended her challenge.
Although the result will be difficult to accept, second place represents Henseleit’s best finish in a major championship.
Final AIG Women’s Open Leaderboard
The official AIG Women’s Open leaderboard confirmed Kuwaki and Henseleit were the only players to finish five under par.
| Position | Player | Score | Final round |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shiho Kuwaki | -5 | 70 |
| 2 | Esther Henseleit | -5 | 70 |
| 3 | Yealimi Noh | -4 | 74 |
| T4 | Nelly Korda | -2 | 68 |
| T4 | Jeeno Thitikul | -2 | 73 |
| T6 | Rio Takeda | -1 | 69 |
| T6 | Shannon Tan | -1 | 69 |
| T6 | Wei-Ling Hsu | -1 | 69 |
| T6 | Charley Hull | -1 | 72 |
| T6 | Lottie Woad | -1 | 73 |
| T6 | Haeran Ryu | -1 | 74 |
Korda Makes a Late Move
Nelly Korda produced one of the lowest rounds of the final day, carding a three-under 68 to climb into a share of fourth place.
The world number one had started slowly with a 73 before recovering through the middle of the championship. Her final round took her to two under, alongside Thitikul, but the pair finished three strokes behind the play-off.
Thitikul had opened the tournament with seven birdies and no bogeys in a 64. She remained in contention throughout the week but closed with a 73 after being unable to recreate Thursday’s scoring run.
Ryu’s attempt to win a third consecutive major also ended with a final-round 74. The South Korean had led after 36 holes and briefly opened a four-shot advantage during the third round before a series of bogeys changed the championship.
She eventually shared sixth place on one under alongside six other players.
Hull and Woad Share Sixth Place
Charley Hull and Lottie Woad finished as the leading English players after completing the championship on one under.
Hull began the final round five strokes behind Noh but could not generate the early run of birdies required to close the gap. A one-over 72 left her tied for sixth.
Woad started four behind the leader and remained within range during the opening stages. Her closing 73 also resulted in a share of sixth, alongside Hull, Ryu, Takeda, Tan and Hsu.
Both English players spent much of the week in contention without taking the outright lead. Their performances maintained interest at home after 2018 champion Georgia Hall and defending champion Miyu Yamashita missed the halfway cut.
Further major reports, tournament guides and analysis are available through World in Sport’s golf coverage.
Martín Sampedro Retains the Smyth Salver
Paula Martín Sampedro secured the Smyth Salver as the championship’s leading amateur for the second successive year.
The Spaniard completed rounds of 69, 71, 76 and 72 to finish four over par and tied for 29th. She was the only amateur to complete all four rounds with a lower score than the other eligible players.
The Smyth Salver receives to the leading amateur who completes 72 holes at the AIG Women’s Open.
Martín Sampedro also claimed the honour at Royal Porthcawl in 2025.
Readers who want a clearer explanation of stroke play, par, penalties and major championship formats can use World in Sport’s golf rules and scoring guide.
Record Prize Fund Rewards Kuwaki
Kuwaki earned approximately £1.13 million ($1.5 million) for winning the championship, while Henseleit received about £748,000 ($994,669).
The tournament offered a record total fund of approximately £7.52 million ($10 million), continuing the financial growth of the final women’s major of the season.
World in Sport’s AIG Women’s Open prize-money guide explains how the fund has increased and why the championship’s 50th staging represented another significant financial landmark.
Players who finished level shared the money assigned to the positions covered by their tie. World in Sport’s guide to how golf tie payouts work explains why the six players tied for sixth received equal payments.
Kuwaki’s victory was worth more than the record cheque. It delivered her first major title in the seventh major appearance of her career and placed her among the championship’s winners after beginning the week ranked 46th in the world.
Japan Celebrates Another Women’s Open Champion
Kuwaki’s success completed a second consecutive Japanese victory in the AIG Women’s Open.
Miyu Yamashita won the 2025 championship at Royal Porthcawl, finishing two shots ahead of Hull and Minami Katsu. Twelve months later, Kuwaki continued that run at one of England’s most demanding links venues.
The result also gave the championship an appropriate finish to its 50th staging. Royal Lytham previously produced major victories for Annika Sörenstam, Catriona Matthew and Georgia Hall, among others.
Kuwaki has now joined that list after a week in which she never moved far from contention, survived Henseleit’s dramatic late birdie. And produced the decisive par when the title was finally within reach.
