Shiho Kuwaki of Japan claimed the 2026 AIG Women's Open title at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Lancashire, on 3 August, defeating Germany's Esther Henseleit in a two-hole playoff to secure the 50th edition of the prestigious major. The victory makes Japan the first nation to win back-to-back AIG Women's Opens, with Kuwaki following in the footsteps of 2025 champion Miyu Yamashita.

How the Playoff Unfolded

Kuwaki and Henseleit finished the regulation 72 holes level at five-under-par after both carded a final-round 70 (-1). The duo returned to the 18th hole, where each made par on the first playoff hole. On the second attempt, Kuwaki found the fairway and green in two, while Henseleit's tee shot found the gorse. Despite a commendable recovery, the German missed her par putt and made bogey, leaving Kuwaki to sink her par putt and lift the trophy.

Kuwaki's Week at Royal Lytham

The 23-year-old was in contention throughout, opening with a 66 (-5) before rounds of 70 (-1) and 73 (+2). Her composed final-day 70, featuring three birdies and two bogeys, proved just enough to force the playoff. Speaking after her victory, Kuwaki said: 'After last year, Yamashita's win, and to be able to win again as a Japanese player is such an amazing feeling. I hope as part of Team Japan we can continue to light up the golf world and hope everyone enjoys it as well.'

Henseleit's Dramatic Charge

Germany's Esther Henseleit, a two-time Ladies European Tour (LET) winner, produced a rollercoaster final round. She dropped shots at the 3rd, 8th, and 9th holes before rallying with birdies on the 11th, 12th, and 15th. Another bogey on the 16th was followed by a clutch birdie on 18 to earn her place in the playoff. Ultimately, a wayward tee shot on the second extra hole proved her undoing.

Leaderboard and Indian Disappointment

American Yealimi Noh, who held the 54-hole lead, stumbled to a final-round 74 (+3) to finish solo third at four-under-par. World number one Nelly Korda and world number two Jeeno Thitikul shared fourth place at two-under-par. Six players tied for sixth on one-under, including 2025 LET Order of Merit champion Shannon Tan and English pair Charley Hull and Lottie Woad. For India, Diksha Dagar and Aditi Ashok — both supported by Hero — missed the cut earlier in the week, leaving the nation without a representative in the weekend rounds.

LET Order of Merit Update

In the LET Order of Merit standings, South Africa's Casandra Alexander extended her lead at the top, accumulating 1,899.98 points. With the season's marquee event now concluded, the standings will be closely watched as the tour heads into its remaining events.

Kuwaki's triumph at Royal Lytham adds a landmark chapter to Japanese women's golf and raises expectations that the nation's rising talent pool could sustain this momentum on the global stage.