Shiho Kuwaki achieved a stunning play-off victory over Esther Henseleit at the AIG Women’s Open, showcasing an extraordinary finish at Royal Lytham & St Annes. On a dramatic final day, Henseleit made a remarkable 45-foot birdie on the last hole, tying her score at five under with Kuwaki, who posted a one-under 70, overcoming a three-shot deficit.

The tension escalated as both players returned to the par-four 18th for a sudden-death play-off. Kuwaki managed to scramble an unlikely par, while Henseleit missed a 10-foot birdie putt that could have clinched her victory.

In the second extra hole, Henseleit faced further misfortune when her tee shot hit a marshal's ankle, landing in a bush. She struggled to recover, ultimately recording a bogey, while Kuwaki secured her win with a two-putt par, marking her as Japan's second consecutive AIG Women’s Open champion.

Yealimi Noh, who had taken a three-shot lead into the final round, briefly extended it to four but fell back with three bogeys in five holes, finishing a shot behind in third. The world’s top two players, Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul, shared fourth place at two under. Charley Hull and Lottie Woad ended tied for sixth, four strokes off the pace, after failing to mount a late challenge for their first major title.