The 2026 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham and St. Annes concluded with a historic finish and record-breaking prize money. Shiho Kuwaki secured the victory after a tense two-hole playoff against Esther Henseleit. With this win, Kuwaki earned $1.5 million from the tournament’s total $10 million purse.
Esther Henseleit took home $994,669 for her second-place finish, while Yealimi Noh rounded out the top three with a payout of $720,803. The $10 million purse reflects a major commitment to the growth of professional women's golf and provides substantial rewards for the top performers on the LPGA Tour.
Professional players who did not make the cut were still provided with a $4,250 stipend. This level of financial support across the board highlights the increasing stature of the sport and the major investments currently backing the final major of the season.
The competition remained close throughout the final round. The playoff between Kuwaki and Henseleit offered a dramatic conclusion to a week of high-level play. Fans and observers noted the intensity at Royal Lytham and St. Annes as the field competed for the record prize pool.