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)
Shiho Kuwaki won the Women’s Open in dramatic fashion after an extraordinary play-off in which Esther Henseleit’s hopes were hit by her ball taking an unfortunate ricochet off a marshal.
The gripping finale at Royal Lytham & St Annes brimmed with drama, magic and misfortune – particularly on the crucial 18th hole.
Germany’s Henseleit initially forced an extension to play by sinking a 45-foot birdie putt to draw level at five under par with Japan’s 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 as they went down the 18th for a third time.
When she was unable to save her par, it was left for Kuwaki to make a short putt for a four 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.”
