Kuwaki scores major breakthrough in a finale of twists and turns
MANILA, Philippines — The final round of the AIG Women's Open had everything — lead changes, shattered hopes, improbable recoveries, momentum swings, and a playoff worthy of a major championship.
And when the dust finally settled after one of the wildest Sundays in recent memory at the Royal Lytham and St. Annes, it was Shiho Kuwaki who stood tallest, completing an extraordinary transformation from missing the cut a year ago to becoming the newest major champion.
The 23-year-old Japanese star weathered the relentless pressure, survived a nerve-racking two-hole sudden-death playoff against Germany's Esther Henseleit, and became only the fourth Japanese player to win the Women's Open.
"I just can't believe it. I just can't believe it," a jubilant Kuwaki said after clutching the elegant fluted trophy.
"Just to be on a stage like this is just an honor. Every hole I was focused shot by shot and I just tried to enjoy it out there as much as I could," added the Okayama native.
That unwavering focus proved decisive on a day when Royal Lytham's treacherous layout and devilish pin placements humbled virtually every contender.
Kuwaki entered the clubhouse with a one-shot lead after a brave 70 for a 72-hole aggregate of 279. It looked good enough until Henseleit, needing birdie at the last, drained a stunning 40-foot putt on the 18th for her own version of a one-under card, igniting the galleries and forcing a sudden-death playoff.
For many players, such a dramatic twist would have been crushing.
Instead, Kuwaki calmly reset.
Ironically, the opening playoff hole appeared headed against her when her tee shot sailed into thick rough atop a hill just short of the right fairway bunker, forcing her to lay up. Henseleit, meanwhile, played herself into prime position on the left by knocking her approach to within 15 feet.
Facing what looked like a decisive disadvantage, Kuwaki produced perhaps the defining shot of the championship.
From well short of the green, she struck a beautifully judged third shot that settled inside four feet, instantly reversing the pressure. Henseleit missed her birdie attempt, leaving herself with par, while Kuwaki confidently holed her putt to extend the duel.
Then came another dramatic momentum shift.
Returning to the 18th for the second playoff hole, Kuwaki split the fairway with her drive while Henseleit found trouble, pulling hers into thick gorse to the right.
The German recovered admirably, pitching out and giving herself a 12-foot putt to save par. But after mis-reading her putt, the door swung open for Kuwaki, who calmly two-putted for par to seal the biggest victory of her career worth $1.5 million.
Overcome with emotion, she covered her face with both hands before embracing her caddie in disbelief.
The victory also ensured Japan retained the championship after compatriot Miyu Yamashita triumphed at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales last year.
"After last year, Yamashita's win, and to be able to win again as a Japanese player is such an amazing feeling," said Kuwaki. "I hope as part of Team Japan we can continue to light up the golf world and hope everyone enjoys it as well."
The victory was the culmination of a remarkable rise for Kuwaki, who has dominated the LPGA Tour of Japan but arrived at Royal Lytham still seeking validation on golf's biggest stage. A year after leaving the Women's Open with the disappointment of a missed cut, she departs as a major champion.
Despite falling short, Henseleit took pride in the way she battled back into contention.
"I'm very happy with how I gave myself the opportunity to win and how I handled myself," she said. "I just got a bit unlucky on the second playoff hole there. I tried really hard and I guess it just wasn't meant to be today."
"It's always fun to play good golf and be in contention, and that it's here in England, the fans were amazing today. It was just a great experience and I really enjoyed it. I will definitely try to learn from this experience and the whole week. There are a lot of things I can be proud of," she added.
Henseleit also reflected on the unforgettable birdie that extended the championship.
"The putt on 18 was confusing. It was going to be right-to-left. The last three feet it was tracking and I thought it might go in. It was a great moment when it dropped," she recalled.
"It was a lot of fun. I don't know what my reaction was, but it was fun to hear everyone go crazy. That's a moment I'll definitely remember for a long time,” added Henseleit.
While Henseleit nearly pulled off a stunning comeback, Yealimi Noh endured the opposite fate.
Holding a three-shot lead entering the final round, the American appeared destined for her maiden major after opening with a clutch par save and a birdie on the second to reinforce her advantage.
But Royal Lytham eventually took its toll.
As the pressure mounted, so did the mistakes. Noh stumbled home with a three-over 74 and slipped to solo third at 280.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda briefly threatened after birdieing her opening two holes, only to be slowed by the same demanding conditions that unsettled nearly every contender. A closing birdie salvaged a 68, earning her a share of fourth at 282 alongside world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, who opened the week with the first-round lead but closed with a 73 to remain in search of her first major title.
Meanwhile, ICTSI-backed two-time US Women's Open champion Yuka Saso likewise produced one of the day's best finishes. She fired a 68 to climb into a tie for 12th at 284, her best result in a season marked by missed cuts and inconsistent form. The strong finish provides welcome momentum heading into the next LPGA event at the Portland Classic in Oregon.
But the week ultimately belonged to Kuwaki.
In a final round where contenders rose and fell almost by the hole, she proved to be the steadiest hand. She made just two bogeys, offset them with three birdies, including a crucial one at the 13th, and strung together a series of clutch pars when virtually everyone else was faltering.
Perhaps just as telling was what happened before the playoff.
While many players would have headed to the practice range or putting green to prepare, Kuwaki quietly remained in the scoring area, watching the closing group on a television monitor. As Henseleit's improbable birdie putt disappeared into the cup to force extra holes, Kuwaki could only cover her face with her hands, bow her head and offer a subdued clap — an understated acknowledgment of the German's remarkable finish.
Minutes later, despite an errant opening drive in the playoff, Kuwaki never lost her composure.
On a Sunday when fortunes shifted almost by the minute and the championship seemed determined to crown one unlikely heroine after another, she trusted her game, embraced the chaos and delivered when it mattered most.
What a difference a year — and 18 unforgettable holes — can make.
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