Shiho Kuwaki wins the AIG Women’s Open and makes history with record prize money at Royal Lytham & St Annes!
Shiho Kuwaki celebrated her first big win at the AIG Women’s Open, held at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The Japanese star grabbed the title after an exciting finish on Sunday, beating Germany’s Esther Henseleit in a play-off.
Henseleit hit an amazing 45-foot birdie putt on the famous 18th hole to tie with Kuwaki at five under, pushing the championship into a play-off. Kuwaki managed to catch up from three shots behind on Sunday and saved a tricky par on the first play-off hole. Henseleit missed a short birdie putt that could have won it.
Things got tough for Henseleit on the second play-off hole when her drive hit a marshal’s ankle and landed in a bush. She had to struggle back to the fairway, giving Kuwaki the chance to finish strong and win with two putts.
Ranked 46th in the world, Kuwaki earned a record prize on the 50th anniversary of the Women’s Open and proudly lifted her first major trophy. She’s the second Japanese player in a row to win the tournament, following Miyu Yamashita’s victory at Royal Porthcawl last year. Kuwaki’s best finish before this was tied for 14th at the US Women’s Open.
English golfers Lottie Woad and Charley Hull also did well, finishing in the top ten. But golf legend Dame Laura Davies thinks they’ll both feel they missed a chance to win. “They’ll be happy with their finishes, but since five under won it, they might see it as a missed opportunity,” she said. Davies praised Lottie for steady play but felt she didn’t hole enough putts. She also noted Charley’s usual aggressive style and how close she came, saying, “She’ll look back thinking she was only four back, which is too close to miss.”
Davies added, “The course was tough and wore everyone down this week.”
Here are the top finishers and their prize money:
1st | Shiho Kuwaki | £1,112,700
2nd | Esther Henseleit | £737,845
3rd | Yealimi Noh | £534,692
T4 | Jeeno Thitikul | £372,656
T4 | Nelly Korda | £372,656
T6 | Haeran Ryu | £197,795
T6 | Lottie Woad | £197,795
T6 | Charley Hull | £197,795
… (and many more who competed hard)
It was an unforgettable tournament filled with great moments and strong performances all around!