Kuwaki beats Henseleit in play-off to win Women's Open
Japanese golfer Shiho Kuwaki won the Women's Open after a two-hole play-off against Esther Henseleit. The victory followed a dramatic final round at Royal Lytham & St Annes, marking a significant career milestone for Kuwaki.
Why it matters
This victory highlights the rising prominence of Japanese players in international professional golf and serves as a major career turnaround for Kuwaki.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Shiho Kuwaki missed the cut at the Women's Open 12 months ago
-5 *S Kuwaki (Jap), E Henseleit (Ger); -4 Y Noh (US); -2 N Korda (US), J Thitikul (Tha)
Selected others: -1 C Hull (Eng), L Woad, (Eng), H Ryu (Kor), R Takeda (Jap); E C Boutier (Fra), S Kouskova (Cze); +1 L Li (US), L Coughlin (US)
Shiho Kuwaki held her nerve to beat Esther Henseleit in a two-hole play-off to become the second consecutive Japanese player to win the Women's Open.
A gripping finale at Royal Lytham & St Annes was brimming with drama, magic and misfortune - particularly on the crucial 18th hole.
Henseleit initially forced an extension to play by sinking a 45-foot birdie putt to draw level at five under par with Kuwaki, who sat nervously inside the clubhouse watching on.
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