Shiho Kuwaki claimed her maiden major title with a play-off victory over Esther Henseleit at the 50th AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Sunday. The Japanese golfer earned the $1.5m first prize after an extraordinary final day where at least a dozen players were in contention.
Kuwaki finished on five under alongside Henseleit, who forced the play-off by sinking a 45-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole. Henseleit carded a final-round 70 to match Kuwaki at five under par.
On the first extra hole, both players recorded pars. Henseleit missed a 10-foot putt for victory, while Kuwaki scrambled a four after pitching out of thick rough.
Drama followed on the second play-off hole when Henseleit's tee shot hit a marshal and bounced into a bush. Forced to pitch back into play, Henseleit made a bogey, allowing Kuwaki to hit the green and two-putt for the win.
Final leaderboard and standings
Overnight leader Yealimi Noh finished one stroke behind in third place following a final-round 74. Pre-tournament favourite Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul, the world's top two players, ended a further stroke back in a share of fourth place.
Charley Hull and Lottie Woad finished four strokes off the lead in a share of sixth place on one under. Their hopes for a home victory and a third consecutive British winner at Royal Lytham ended there, with Hull's major hopes derailed by two double bogeys early on her final hole.
Haeran Ryu also finished tied for sixth on one under, ending her attempt to win a third consecutive major title. Only 11 of the 68 players who made the weekend cut finished under-par.
Women's major championship winners in 2026
Kuwaki is the second successive winner from Japan at the tournament, following Yamashita's major victory in 2025. The AIG Women's Open was the fifth of five majors in the women's calendar in 2026.
Earlier in the year, Korda won the Chevron Championship and the US Women's Open. Ryu followed success at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship by winning the Amundi Evian Championship.
