Golf: Kuwaki makes it two-in-a-row for Japan at Women's Open, disappointment for Indians
Lancashire, Aug 3
Japan's Shiho Kuwaki beat Esther Henseleit in a two-hole playoff to win the 50th edition of the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes near Lancashire in England. Her win meant a second straight win for Japan, as she emulated the 2025 champion Miyu Yamashita.
Kuwaki has been near the top of the leaderboard all week with an opening 66 (-5) followed by a 70 (-1) and a 73 (+2). On the final day, she held her nerve to shoot a round of 70 (-1), which included three birdies and two bogeys.
American Yealimi Noh, who led at the 54-hole mark, had a tough final day, carding a 74 (+3) to finish in solo third place on four-under-par.
World number one Nelly Korda and world number two Jeeno Thitikul shared fourth place on two-under-par.
India's Hero-supported Diksha Dagar and Aditi Ashok had missed the cut earlier this week.
Kuwaki, who set the clubhouse lead on five-under-par, was joined by Germany's Henseleit at the top of the leaderboard, and then the duo headed back down the 18th and each made a par on the first playoff hole.
The 23-year-old then found the fairway and green in two on her second attempt, while Henseleit's ball went in the gorse off the tee.
Despite recovering well, the German missed her par putt and made bogey, leaving Kuwaki to sink her par putt and win the 2026 AIG Women's Open.
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."
Germany's Henseleit was in the final group of the day, and she also produced a round of 70 (-1) to put herself on five-under-par and in the playoff.
The two-time LET winner had an up-and-down day with a bogey on the third followed by a birdie on the sixth before back-to-back bogeys on holes eight and nine.
Henseleit found some form on the back nine with birdies on the 11th, 12th and 15th holes. She made another bogey on 16 but finished in style with a clutch birdie on 18 to secure her place in the playoff.
Six players tied for sixth place on one-under-par, including 2025 LET Order of Merit champion Shannon Tan and English duo Charley Hull and Lottie Woad.
In the LET Order of Merit, South Africa's Casandra Alexander extended her lead at the summit and has 1,899.98 points.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Shiho Kuwaki played brilliantly under pressure, especially in the playoff! 🏌️♀️ As an Indian golf fan, I feel a bit sad seeing our girls struggle. Diksha Dagar and Aditi Ashok are capable, but they need more competitive rounds on tougher courses. Hopefully the new generation will learn from these world-class performances.
Japan's rise in women's golf is no accident! They have a strong domestic circuit and systematic coaching. Meanwhile, in India, golf is still seen as a rich man's sport, and we don't invest enough in grassroots development. Aditi and Diksha are doing their best, but we can't expect miracles without structural changes. Hard truth, but someone needs to say it! 💔
What a clutch performance from Henseleit to birdie the 18th and force a playoff! And then Kuwaki showing nerves of steel. 🇯🇵🏆 Honestly, India should take notes from Japan's talent development system. We definitely have the talent, but our players need more international exposure from a young age. A bit disappointed, but still proud of our girls for representing the tricolor!
Many will criticise our players for missing the cut, but golf is a cruel game where small margins matter a lot. Aditi and Diksha have actually won on the LET and are proven fighters. The gap between them and the Japanese players isn't huge, but it's consistent. Maybe we need more Indian tournaments on the LET schedule to give home advantage to our girls. Just my two paise! 😊
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