Japan's Shiho Kuwaki wins Women's Open in playoff after Henseleit's ball strikes marshal

Final round chase

Shiho Kuwaki began the final round three shots behind overnight leader Yealimi Noh. The 23-year-old from Okayama steadily climbed the leaderboard as Noh's advantage crumbled. Kuwaki moved into a share of the lead with a birdie at the 13th and posted the clubhouse target at five under par with a closing one-under 70. Noh, who had extended her lead to four shots early in the round, bogeyed the seventh, eighth and 12th holes and finished third at four under after a 74.

Esther Henseleit produced a back-nine surge to force extra holes. The German birdied the 11th, 12th and 15th to draw level with Kuwaki, then dropped a shot at the 16th. Facing a must-make birdie on the 18th, Henseleit rolled in a putt from roughly 40 to 45 feet for a 70, tying Kuwaki at five-under 279 and triggering the playoff.

Playoff drama

The sudden-death playoff returned to the 18th hole. On the first extra hole, Kuwaki drove into heavy rough and had to lay up short of the green, but hit a wedge to three feet and saved par. Henseleit missed a birdie attempt from 12 to 15 feet that would have won the title.

On the second playoff hole, Kuwaki split the fairway with her drive. Henseleit's tee shot drifted right and struck the lower leg of a course marshal. The ball ricocheted into the bottom of a gorse bush. Henseleit managed to chip out but could not convert a 12-foot par putt. Kuwaki made a routine par to seal the championship.

I just can't believe it. I am filled with joy.

Japanese succession

Kuwaki became the second consecutive Japanese winner of the Women's Open, following Miyu Yamashita's victory at Royal Porthcawl in 2025. She is the seventh Japanese woman to capture a major title and the fourth Japanese golfer to win this specific championship. Her previous best major finish was a tie for 14th at this year's US Women's Open. She turned professional in 2021 and won the Japan LPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup in 2024.

To be able to win again as a Japanese player is just such an amazing feeling, and I hope as part of Team Japan we can continue to light up the golf world and hope everyone enjoys it as well.

Contenders fade

World number one Nelly Korda closed with a three-under 68 to finish tied for fourth at two under alongside world number two Jeeno Thitikul. Korda had been chasing a third major title of 2026 after winning the Chevron Championship and US Women's Open. South Korea's Haeran Ryu, who entered the week seeking a third consecutive major after victories at the LPGA Championship and Evian Championship, bogeyed the 17th and 18th holes to finish tied for sixth at one under. England's Charley Hull and Lottie Woad also finished in that group at one under.

Prize and milestone

Kuwaki earned a tournament-record $1.5 million for the victory. The event marked the 50th edition of the Women's Open, played over a Royal Lytham & St Annes course featuring 166 bunkers. Kuwaki had missed the cut in her only previous Women's Open appearance at Royal Porthcawl in 2025.