Kuwaki beats Henseleit in play-off to win Women's Open

Shiho Kuwaki became the second consecutive Japanese player to win the AIG Women's Open, holding her nerve to defeat Germany's Esther Henseleit in a tense two-hole playoff at Royal Lytham & St Annes. The dramatic finale saw Henseleit sink a remarkable 45-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to force the extension, matching Kuwaki's score at five under par.

However, the playoff proved decisive. After both players made pars on the first extra hole, Henseleit's challenge faltered on the second. Her drive struck a course marshal, ricocheting into a gorse bush, and she was unable to save par. This misfortune allowed Kuwaki, who had been watching nervously from the clubhouse, two putts to secure the championship title and the £1.11 million prize.

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I just can't believe it. 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.

"I just can't believe it," said Kuwaki, whose previous five professional wins had all come on her home tour in Japan. "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." She added, "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."

Yealimi Noh, who had led for much of Sunday afternoon, finished one stroke back in third place. World number 69 Noh had been hoping to claim her second professional win. The English players, including Charley Hull and Lottie Woad, failed to mount a serious challenge, while Haeran Ryu struggled with bunker trouble. World number one Nelly Korda finished four shots behind, regretting a double-bogey finish in the third round that hampered her chances of a career grand slam.

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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.