Shiho Kuwaki defeated Esther Henseleit in a two-hole playoff at Royal Lytham to become Japan’s second straight AIG Women’s Open champion.
Shiho Kuwaki is a major champion after surviving Royal Lytham & St Annes and outlasting Esther Henseleit in a dramatic two-hole playoff at the 2026 AIG Women’s Open.
The 23-year-old Japanese star closed with a 1-under 70 to finish at 5 under for the championship. Kuwaki made three birdies against two bogeys Sunday, then waited as Henseleit produced a clutch birdie at the 18th to force extra holes.
Both players made par during their first trip back down the closing hole. On the second playoff attempt, Kuwaki split the fairway and found the green in regulation. Henseleit’s tee shot sailed into the gorse, immediately handing the advantage to the Japanese contender.
Henseleit escaped trouble but couldn’t convert her par putt. Kuwaki calmly cleaned up her own par attempt to secure the biggest victory of her career.
“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.”
Kuwaki opened the tournament with a 5-under 66 before adding rounds of 70 and 73. Her final-round composure made her the second consecutive Japanese winner of the AIG Women’s Open, following Miyu Yamashita’s triumph 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.”
Henseleit’s runner-up finish came after a turbulent Sunday. She made three bogeys across the front nine but responded with birdies at Nos. 11, 12 and 15. Another bogey at the 16th appeared costly until her birdie at 18 created one final opportunity.
“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.”
Yealimi Noh began the day with the lead but shot a 3-over 74, finishing alone in third at 4 under. World No. 1 Nelly Korda and No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul shared fourth at 2 under.
Charley Hull, Lottie Woad and Shannon Tan were among six players tied for sixth at 1 under.
Henseleit’s performance moved her from 38th to sixth in the LET Order of Merit, while Casandra Alexander maintained the top spot with 1,899.98 points.
The day belonged to Kuwaki, who arrived at Royal Lytham as a rising talent and left with her name permanently attached to one of golf’s most prestigious trophies.
