Shiho Kuwaki Wins Women's British Open on Second Playoff Hole at Royal Lytham

Japan's Shiho Kuwaki secured her first major title at the Women's British Open, defeating Esther Henseleit with a par on the second extra hole.

Shiho Kuwaki secured her first major championship victory at the Women's British Open on Sunday, defeating Esther Henseleit on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff. The 23-year-old from Japan finished the 72-hole regulation at 5-under 279 following a final-round 1-under 70 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. Henseleit, representing Germany, forced the extra session by sinking a 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th green to card her own 70 and match Kuwaki’s total.

During the first playoff hole on the 18th, Kuwaki faced a significant disadvantage after her tee shot landed in thick grass short of a bunker, forcing her to lay up. However, she executed a wedge shot to within 3 feet to save par. Henseleit had a chance to win the tournament on that same hole but missed a 15-foot birdie attempt. The momentum shifted on the second extra hole when Henseleit’s drive drifted right into a gorse bush. Although she recovered to the fairway and hit a wedge to 12 feet, her par putt missed to the left, allowing Kuwaki to tap in for the win.

Final Round Leaderboard and Statistics

Yealimi Noh finished in third place with a total of 280 after carding a 2-over 74. The 25-year-old Californian held a three-shot lead entering the final round but surrendered her position with a series of bogeys, including a critical drop on the 14th hole. Despite having two birdie opportunities on the closing holes to join the playoff, Noh failed to convert and finished one stroke behind the leaders. She entered the week having missed three consecutive cuts.

Nelly Korda, the world No. 1, surged into a tie for fourth place at 2-under par after posting a final-round 68. Korda, who won the first two majors of 2026, started the day eight shots off the lead and held the clubhouse advantage for a significant period before Kuwaki finished. She shared fourth place with Jeeno Thitikul, who signed for a 73. Haeran Ryu, seeking to become the first player since Inbee Park to win three majors in a single year, tied for sixth after closing with two straight bogeys for a 74.

Kuwaki’s Path to Major Glory

Ranked No. 46 in the women’s world rankings, Kuwaki demonstrated consistency by playing bogey-free golf over her final 13 holes of regulation. While waiting in the scoring room for nearly 30 minutes, she watched Henseleit’s 40-foot birdie conversion on television, covering her eyes as the ball dropped. This victory marks the second consecutive year a player from Japan has won this event, following Miyu Yamashita’s 2025 triumph at Royal Porthcawl.

Kuwaki is the fifth Japanese player to capture an LPGA major title within the last three years, joining a list that includes Yamashita, Mao Saigo, Yuka Saso, and Ayaka Furue. Currently fourth on the Japan LPGA money list, Kuwaki has already recorded two victories this year. Through a translator during the trophy presentation, she expressed disbelief at the result, noting her focus on a shot-by-shot approach throughout the tournament.

Henseleit and Noh Reflect on Performance

Esther Henseleit, 27, noted that she felt unlucky on the final playoff hole but remained pleased with how she handled the pressure of the final group. Her 40-foot putt to force the playoff was only the second time the event required extra holes since it gained major status in 2001. Henseleit’s recovery from the gorse bush to the fairway on the second extra hole gave her a 12-foot look at par, but the miss ended her bid for the title.

For Noh, the third-place finish provided a boost in motivation despite the disappointment of losing a three-shot lead. She noted that she felt much better about her game compared to previous weeks. The tournament concluded at 02:50 PM ET on August 2, 2026, marking a historic moment for Japanese golf as Kuwaki celebrated her breakthrough on the global stage.