AIG Women’s Open – fourth round
-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)
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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.
However, after both made pars in distinctly different fashion on the first sudden-death play-off hole, Henseleit was left in difficulty when her drive hit a course marshal and was redirected into a gorse bush.
When she was unable to save her par, that effectively allowed Kuwaki two putts to secure the top prize of £1.11m just 12 months after failing to make the cut at Royal Porthcawl.
“I just can’t believe it,” said Kuwaki, whose previous five wins as a professional had all arrived on her home tour.
“To be on a stage like this is an honour and every hole I was just focused on shot by shot. I just tried to enjoy it as much as I could.
“It’s an amazing feeling to win again as a Japanese player. I hope as team Japan we can continue to light up the golf world.”