Kuwaki Wins Major Playoff
Shiho Kuwaki Captures First Major Title in Dramatic Women's Open Playoff
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Henseleit drilled a 45-foot birdie putt on the 18th to force a playoff, underscoring her late surge.
2
A bizarre moment occurred when Henseleit's playoff shot deflected off a marshal's ankle and ended up in a bush, adding to the finish's unpredictability.
3
In the playoff, Kuwaki saved par on the first extra hole with a wedge to 3 feet, while Henseleit missed a 15-foot par-saving putt, setting up the second playoff hole.
4
Kuwaki collected a tournament-record $1.5 million prize for the win, highlighting the scale of the victory.
5
The win made Kuwaki the second consecutive Japanese champion of the Women's Open, following Miyu Yamashita’s title last year.
Shiho Kuwaki won the Women's Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Sunday, claiming her first major title in a dramatic playoff against Germany's Esther Henseleit, according to Perth Now. The Japanese golfer, ranked 46th in the world, sealed the win with a par on the second playoff hole after Henseleit bogeyed, earning a tournament-record $1.5 million prize.
The victory made Kuwaki the second consecutive Japanese champion of the Women's Open, following Miyu Yamashita's title in 2024. It came on the tournament's 50th anniversary edition, adding extra weight to an already memorable finish.
Henseleit's 45-Foot Putt Forces a Playoff
Kuwaki and Henseleit finished regulation play tied at five under par. The playoff was forced when Henseleit drained a stunning 45-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, according to Perth Now. It was a clutch moment that kept the German in contention when it looked like Kuwaki might walk away with the title outright.
Kuwaki had been under pressure throughout the final round. She rallied from a late deficit to match Henseleit's score and earn her spot in extra holes. The two players headed back out with the title — and $1.5 million — on the line.
A Marshal's Ankle and a Bush Add to the Chaos
The playoff took a bizarre turn almost immediately. On the first extra hole, Henseleit's shot deflected off a marshal's ankle and ended up in a bush, as reported by Head Topics. It was an unpredictable moment that shifted momentum sharply toward Kuwaki.
Kuwaki took full advantage. She hit a wedge to within 3 feet and saved par. Henseleit, meanwhile, missed a 15-foot putt to save par of her own. The German's misses kept piling up, and Kuwaki moved to the second playoff hole with the upper hand.
Kuwaki Closes Out on the Second Extra Hole
On the second playoff hole, Henseleit bogeyed again. Kuwaki made par and that was enough. The win was confirmed, and Kuwaki became a first-time major champion, according to Perth Now. It was a composed finish from a player who had been forced to dig deep all day.
Kuwaki collected the $1.5 million prize — a record payout for the Women's Open. The victory lifted her profile significantly on the world stage. Going in ranked 46th, she leaves Royal Lytham as a major champion, per Head Topics.
Japan's Grip on the Women's Open Continues
Kuwaki's win is the second straight Women's Open title for Japan. Miyu Yamashita won the tournament in 2024. Back-to-back Japanese champions at one of golf's biggest events is a remarkable run, according to Tenterfield Star.
The 50th anniversary of the Women's Open gave the 2025 edition extra significance. A playoff finish between two of the world's best made it one to remember. For Kuwaki, it marks a breakthrough moment — and likely the start of a new chapter in her career.
Sentiment
Mostly PositiveNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
46
Articles
317
Reach
363
A
AnonymousAuthor