LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England – Shiho Kuwaki put her shaky hands up to her face in disbelief, her long, colorful fingernails flashed across the screen. Germany’s Esther Henseleit had just drained a 40-foot bomb for birdie on the 72nd hole of the AIG Women’s British Open to force a playoff. The normally stoic Henseleit raised her arm to the sky – and early called it – like a boss.
The stylish Kuwaki, who chose not to go to the range to keep warm as she waited, readied herself to go back to the 18th tee at Royal Lytham & St. Annes to see if she could win the Women’s Open in only her second attempt.
It took two extra holes, with Henseleit’s tee shot on the second playoff hole appearing to bounce off someone and into the gorse, before Kuwaki clinched
it with par.
She becomes the third Japanese player to win the Women’s British Open in the past eight editions, carding a 1-under 70 on the last day.
“I just can't believe,” said 23-year-old Kuwaki, who was once gifted 264 pounds of rice after winning three times on the JLPGA in 2024. That rice, by the way, she confirmed is now gone. Though she can buy plenty more with the $1.5 million winner’s check.
It felt like a free-for-all on Sunday afternoon, with penalizing pot bunkers snatching up nervy shots and players slashing out of the hay in crispy conditions.
American Yealimi Noh began the day with a three-shot lead, led by as many as four, and spent most of the back nine hanging on for dear life. She, too, had a putt for birdie to get into the playoff but left it shockingly short. She talked through tears after the round but leaves Lytham with newfound confidence.
“Coming down 18 in front of the big crowds and playing at The Open, it was really special,” said Noh, who hadn’t broken par since April coming into the week.
“Reminded me why I love this game and why I'm here.”
The snazzy Kuwaki, with the long eyelashes, Loudmouth clothes and distinctive yellow ball, went down the last 13 holes in 2 under to shoot 70 and get to the grand clubhouse at 5 under, and then waited to see if anyone could catch her.
Henseleit, the 2024 Olympic silver medalist who has yet to win on tour, knew her birdie putt on the 18th in regulation was tracking all the way. As she raised her right arm toward the sky, she internally begged it not to lip out.
“It would be like the most embarrassing early call ever,” she said, laughing.
The only better reaction was that of her husband/caddie/coach Reece Phillips, who practically ran onto the green after throwing several first pumps.
While it was the most memorable putt of her life, it wasn’t enough. When asked about the unfortunate bounce on the second playoff hole, Henseleit wasn’t sure what happened but summed it up thusly: “Probably a bit unlucky there. That's just links golf.”
She took it all in stride.
The first two majors of the season belonged to Nelly Korda, and after a birdie on 18, the No. 1 player in the world got to 2 under. As everyone behind her started to crumble, one couldn’t help but wonder if it might hold.
The pride of England – Lottie Woad and Charley Hull – were in it for a long time until ultimately finishing in a share of sixth at 1 under. Neither made a single birdie down the last eight holes.
Haeran Ryu, the woman who was trying to win three majors in three starts, shot 3 over on the day to finish in a share sixth, one shot back of Korda and Jeeno Thitikul, who shot a course record of 64 on Thursday and is still waiting on her maiden major.
Ranked 46th in the world coming into the week, Kuwaki, was an unknown to most but leads the JLPGA’s Mercedes points list after winning twice on that tour this season.
The Iwai twins, Chizzy and Aki, are the same age as Kuwaki and have known her since junior golf. Chizzy got choked up watching her friend win. Both walked away inspired.
“I want to know how to do,” said Chizzy with a smile.
Japanese players have won five majors over the course of the last three seasons.
Shiho Kuwaki's round in 60 seconds. ⏱️
— AIG Women’s Open (@AIGWomensOpen) August 2, 2026
Toyo Tyres | #Roundin60 pic.twitter.com/o8ZG17oTII
Kuwaki grew up in the same prefecture, Okayama, as Hinako Shibuno, the 2019 Women’s Open champion who had never competed outside of Japan before she won at Woburn. Kuwaki said Shibuno is like a sister to her, and texted before Sunday’s round.
Kuwaki had plans to attend LPGA Q-School later this year but doesn’t need to now that she has secured LPGA status for the next five years. She can accept immediately or defer until next season. Kuwaki is the first non-member to win the Women’s British Open since Sophia Popov in 2020.
When asked how she planned to celebrate, Kuwaki didn't hesitate.
"I really love to drink alcohol and just drink and have fun," she said with a big smile, "so I intend to drink a lot tonight."
Whiskey soda, to be exact.
Beth Ann Nichols is a senior writer for Golfweek covering the LPGA and all things women's golf.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Shiho Kuwaki earns AIG Women’s British Open crown after dramatic playoff at Royal Lytham
