Shiho Kuwaki has won the AIG Women's Open, emerging victorious after a dramatic two-hole playoff against Germany's Esther Henseleit. The decisive moment came on the 18th hole when Henseleit's ball struck a course marshal, redirecting into a gorse bush, which ultimately cost her the championship.
The gripping finale at Royal Lytham & St Annes saw Henseleit force a playoff by sinking a 45-foot birdie putt to match Kuwaki's score of five under par. Kuwaki had been waiting in the clubhouse as Henseleit made her final regulation putt.
After both players made par on the first sudden-death playoff hole, the tension escalated on the second play-off hole. Henseleit's drive on the 18th hole resulted in an unfortunate ricochet off a marshal, landing her ball in a difficult position. Unable to save par from there, Kuwaki was left with a short putt to secure the title.
"I just can't believe it," said Kuwaki, who earned the top prize of £1.11 million. "To be on a stage like this is an honour and every hole I was just focused on shot by shot. I just tried to enjoy it as much as I could."
This victory marks Kuwaki's first major professional win outside of her home tour in Japan. Her previous five professional wins all occurred in Japan. "It's an amazing feeling to win again as a Japanese player. I hope as team Japan we can continue to light up the golf world," she added.
The tournament saw strong performances from other players as well. Yuna Noh of the United States finished in third place at four under par, while Nelly Korda of the US and Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul tied for fourth at two under par.
Notable players who finished at one under par included Charley Hull of England, Linnea Woad of England, Haeran Ryu of South Korea, and Rio Takeda of Japan. Players at even par included Celine Boutier of France and Saki Kouskova of the Czech Republic. At one over par, Linnea Li and Lauren Coughlin of the United States rounded out the notable leaderboard positions.