Shiho Kuwaki secured her maiden major title by defeating Esther Henseleit in a two-hole playoff at the 2026 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The 23-year-old Japanese player completed 72 holes on 5-under-par after a closing 70, then made par on both playoff holes. Henseleit matched Kuwaki’s par on the first playoff hole but found gorse from the tee when they played it again.
Although the German recovered well, she missed her par putt. Kuwaki, who had found the fairway and green in regulation, converted her par attempt to win the 50th edition of the championship.
“I just can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it!” Kuwaki said. “Just to be on a stage like this is just an honour and every hole I was focused shot by shot and I just tried to enjoy it out there as much as I could.”
Her victory gave Japan a second successive AIG Women’s Open champion following Miyu Yamashita’s win in 2025.
“After last year, Yamashita’s win, and to be able to win again as a Japanese player is such an amazing feeling,” Kuwaki said. “I hope as part of Team Japan we can continue to light up the golf world and hope everyone enjoys it as well.”
Kuwaki Sets the Clubhouse Target
Kuwaki began the week with a 5-under 66 before rounds of 70 and 73 kept her close to the lead. Her final round contained three birdies and two bogeys, setting the clubhouse target at 5-under.
Henseleit reached the same mark with a closing 70. After turning in three over for the day, the two-time Ladies European Tour winner made birdies at the 11th and 12th, then gained another shot at the 15th. A bogey at 16 left her needing a birdie on the last, and she converted in front of the grandstands to force the playoff.
“I’m very happy with how I gave myself the opportunity to win today and how I handled myself,” Henseleit said. “I just got a bit unlucky on the second playoff hole there. I tried really hard and I guess it just wasn’t meant to be today.”
Noh Finishes One Shot Short
American Yealimi Noh entered the final round with the 54-hole lead but carded a 3-over 74, leaving her alone in third place on 4-under. World number one Nelly Korda and world number two Jeeno Thitikul shared fourth place at 2-under.
Charley Hull, Lottie Woad and 2025 LET Order of Merit champion Shannon Tan were among six players tied for sixth on one under.
Casandra Alexander retained the LET Order of Merit lead with 1,899.98 points, while Henseleit climbed from 38th to sixth. The tour remains in England for the PIF London Championship at Centurion Club from August 6 to 9.
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