Japan's Shiho Kuwaki won the AIG Women's Open on Sunday, defeating Esther Henseleit in a playoff at Royal Lytham, according to RTE.ie.
The match went to extra holes after the final round ended with the two players tied. The playoff was decided by an unusual moment: Henseleit's ball struck a marshal's leg, an unlucky break that helped seal the outcome in Kuwaki's favor, as reported by The Guardian.
Kuwaki's victory marks her first major title. The win came after a tense final day, with Sky Sports reporting that the playoff produced dramatic scenes before Kuwaki emerged as champion. BBC also covered the event live, confirming the German player Henseleit as the runner-up.
The tournament was held at Royal Lytham & St Annes, a course known for its demanding links layout. The playoff finish drew attention not only for the quality of play but for the unfortunate incident involving the marshal, which The Guardian highlighted as a decisive factor in the result.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Irish golfer Pádraig Harrington finished third in a separate event in Portugal, according to the Irish Independent. That result was unrelated to the Women's Open but rounded out a busy day in professional golf.
Kuwaki's breakthrough performance puts her among the newest major champions in the women's game. With the win, she will likely rise in the world rankings and gain automatic entry into future majors.
Attention now turns to the remainder of the women's golf season, where Kuwaki will aim to build on this success in upcoming events.
