Shiho Kuwaki captured the Women’s Open title in an extraordinary play-off victory over Germany’s Esther Henseleit at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The tournament concluded with considerable drama on the final hole, as Henseleit’s approach shot struck a course marshal and was redirected into a gorse bush during their third trip down the 18th hole. Unable to recover from the unfortunate ricochet, Henseleit failed to save par, allowing Kuwaki to secure the championship with a short putt for a four.
Kuwaki’s triumph marked a significant achievement for the Japanese player, who had previously won only on her home tour. She carded a one-under 70 in the final round to finish at five under par, matching Henseleit’s score before the play-off began. The victory came just 12 months after Kuwaki failed to make the cut at Royal Porthcawl, representing a dramatic turnaround in her competitive standing.
Henseleit had mounted a strong challenge throughout Sunday, recovering from successive bogeys early in her round to record birdies at the 11th, 12th, and 15th holes. Her heroic 45-foot birdie putt on the 18th green forced the play-off extension and delayed Kuwaki’s celebrations by nearly an hour. Henseleit’s near-miss means she narrowly failed to become only the second German female to win a major championship.
Yealimi Noh of the United States finished one stroke behind at four under par, despite holding a three-stroke lead after 54 holes. World number one Nelly Korda concluded at two under following a three-under 68 in the final round, while England’s Charley Hull and Lottie Woad finished one under. Kuwaki becomes the 43rd different winner in 50 editions of the Women’s Open championship.
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