Japanese joy

Shiho Kuwaki showed grit, determination and courage in abundance to win the 50th edition of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The 23-year-old entered the clubhouse on Sunday with a one-stroke lead on five-under-par – only for Esther Henseleit to join her on that number by draining a monster birdie putt at the last and force a play-off in the most dramatic fashion.

The pair were required to play the 18th hole until they could be separated with Shiho persevering at the second time of asking.

Henseleit drove her tee shot into a gorse bush to the right of the fairway which led to the untimeliest of bogeys.

Shiho was safely on the green in two and sank the biggest par putt of her life to claim the title.

It represents a maiden major victory for the leading player on the LPGA of Japan Tour, in what was just her second Championship appearance.

Shiho is the fourth Japanese golfer to win the AIG Women’s Open after Ayaka Okamoto (1984), Hinako Shibuno (2019) and last year’s winner Miyu Yamashita.

And she can now add her name to the list of legends who have lifted the trophy at this famous venue – including three-time Champion Sherri Steinhauer (1998, 2006) and hall of famer Annika Sorenstam (2003).

Just 11 players finished under-par for the week as Royal Lytham’s treacherous pot bunkers wreaked havoc.

Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul – the top two in the world rankings – finished in a tie for fourth on two-under while halfway leader Haeran Ryu and home favourites Charley Hull and Lottie Woad were among the six players who finished a shot further back.

Sara Kouskova and Hyojoo Kim each posted a four-under 67, the best rounds of the day.

Super Shiho

It really was Shiho’s week at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

She came into the Championship in fine fettle, having collected two victories in her homeland in the previous three months.

Near the top of the leaderboard all week in Lytham, Shiho posted rounds of 70, 73 and 70 following her fantastic opening-day 66.

The Okayama native excelled in the key metrics across the four days, finishing top of greens in regulation (81%) and tied-third for fairways hit (79%).

One-under for her Sunday, Shiho only needed three birdies on her way to the clubhouse lead, closing out with five steady pars.

And she showed astounding resilience to persevere after Henseleit forced a play-off at the last.

Paula’s prize

Paula Martin Sampedro is in exalted company, having won the Smyth Salver for the second year in a row.

The Spaniard lifted the top-amateur prize in 2025 and defended her crown by shooting a four-over 288.

She closed out her championship with a one-over-par final round which included 11 pars in a row.

Her performance secured the title by five shots from South Korea’s Yunseo Yang, the only other amateur to make the weekend.

Paula is just the second golfer – after Jeeno Thitikul – to win the Smyth Salver outright since the award was introduced in 1979.

Tight and tense

A different player led after each round at Royal Lytham, with no-one able to pull clear of the star-studded field.

Jeeno carded a record low score on Thursday, recent two-time major winner Haeran Ryu led at the halfway stage while Yealimi Noh [above] held the 54-hole lead.

The American was unable to convert her three-stroke advantage as three dropped shots in the space of five holes on the front nine gave the chasing pack hope.

Two further bogeys coming home saw her slip into second place and a missed birdie putt at the last meant she missed out on the play-off by one.

Sara Kouskova [above] (up 23 places) and Hyojoo Kim (up 24) were the only players near the top of the leaderboard to make significant moves on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Wei-Ling Hsu started the final day in 16th place but rocketed up the leaderboard after an inspired afternoon.

The Chinese Taipei golfer picked up a shot at the 1st and sank three birdies after the turn to move into a tie for third, only for a double-bogey on 18 to extinguish her title hopes. She did, however, finish in a tie for sixth for the second year in a row.

Here's to 50 more

Breaking barriers and records for half a century, the AIG Women’s Open celebrated its 50th edition in style.

With packed grandstands and spectators lining the fairways, Royal Lytham & St Annes was a fitting venue for a landmark Championship.

There is a new name on the famous trophy and Shiho Kuwaki will head to Royal St George’s in 2027 as the defending AIG Women’s Open Champion.