Shiho Kuwaki secured her first major championship victory at the 2026 AIG Women's Open held at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club. The JLPGA Tour member finished the tournament tied with Esther Henseleit at 5-under 279 after 72 holes of play.
The tournament concluded in a dramatic fashion as Kuwaki and Henseleit entered a sudden-death playoff. After both players matched par on the first extra hole, Kuwaki claimed the title with a par on the second playoff hole. Kuwaki showed precision throughout the week, leading the field by hitting 58 of 72 greens in regulation.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Kuwaki in only her seventh major championship appearance. While the win qualifies her for LPGA Tour membership, she has elected to defer her entry until 2027. Her performance this week follows a consistent season where she made the cut in all four major championships.
Runner-up Esther Henseleit also reached a career milestone by forcing the playoff with a 40-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole. Her second-place finish marks her best performance in a major to date and secures her spot on the European Solheim Cup team. Other top finishers included Yealimi Noh in third place, with Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul tied for fourth.
The event also finalized significant standings for the 2026 Solheim Cup, with both U.S. and European teams firming up their rosters. Nelly Korda’s performance earned her the 2026 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award, capping an impressive campaign that includes four total victories this season.