Shiho Kuwaki wins maiden Major title with playoff victory at 2026 AIG Women’s Open
Japanese star seals historic triumph on second playoff hole at Royal Lytham & St Annes as Esther Henseleit finishes runner-up
Lancashire, England - Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki captured her maiden Major championship on Sunday, defeating Germany’s Esther Henseleit on the second playoff hole to win the landmark 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The 23-year-old, who remained near the top of the leaderboard all week with rounds of 66, 70, and 73, delivered a composed final-round one-under-par 70 to set the clubhouse target at five-under 279. After Henseleit matched her total with a clutch birdie on the 72nd hole, both players returned to the 18th, exchanging pars on the first extra hole.
On the second playoff hole, Kuwaki found the fairway and green in regulation, while Henseleit drove into gorse off the tee and was unable to save par. Kuwaki calmly rolled in her par putt to secure the Claret Jug, ensuring a second consecutive Japanese victory at the event following Miyu Yamashita’s triumph in 2025.
“I just can’t believe it! Just to be on a stage like this is such an honor,” Kuwaki said. “Every hole I was focused shot by shot, and I just tried to enjoy it out there as much as I could. After Yamashita’s win last year, to be able to win again as a Japanese player is an amazing feeling.”
Henseleit, who mounted a back-nine surge with birdies on the 11th, 12th, 15th, and 18th to force the playoff, expressed pride in her performance despite the heartbreak. “I’m very happy with how I gave myself the opportunity to win today,” Henseleit noted. “I just got a bit unlucky on the second playoff hole, but there are a lot of things I can be proud of.” The runner-up finish vaulted the two-time LET winner from 38th to sixth in the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit.
American Yealimi Noh, the 54-hole leader, posted a final-round 74 to finish third at four-under-par, while World No. 1 Nelly Korda and World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul tied for fourth at two-under.