Welcome to this week’s Golf Insider, everyone!
The 2026 LPGA major championship season is a wrap, and in the last one of the year, we had a playoff. On Sunday, Aug. 2, Shiho Kuwaki won the 2026 AIG Women’s Open in extra holes over Germany’s Esther Henseleit for her first major title and first win on the LPGA Tour.
There was quite a bit of movement on the leaderboard over the weekend, as was intended on Saturday moving day, but surprising for championship Sunday. After Friday’s cut, two-time major champion Haeran Ryu held the lead at 7-under-par. Kuwaki was one stroke behind her. Yealimi Noh and Jeeno Thitikul followed at 5-under-par.
Each of these players had opportunities to make surges on the weekend. Noh was the one to initially do so, posting a 2-under-par 69 to take a three-shot lead over the field heading into Sunday’s final round. Ryu shot a 3-over-par 74 and dropped into a tie for second place.
So there was a lot of undulation on that leaderboard and in conversations around who might win. Noh came into the week off three missed cuts and not having broken par in an LPGA strokeplay round since April. Would this finally be her breakthrough? Would Ryu find a way to become the first player to win her third major title in a row since Inbee Park in 2013?
A new name was also climbing up the leaderboard on moving day as well. Esther Henseleit shot a third-round 67 (-5) to move into a tie for second place, her best position going into the final round of a major championship.
But Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club had surprises in store for us on championship Sunday. While Ryu had proven on two occasions this season that she could come back to win a title, she faltered during the final round. Several of the 166 bunkers at Royal Lytham & St Annes sucked Ryu in, and halfway through the back nine, it was apparent that she wouldn’t make history. Ryu shot another 74 to close out the tournament.
“I think this week is much better than last year the British, so every year much better than before year. So I’m always learn a lot with the wind,” Ryu said in an interview after her final round on Aug. 2.
Playing in the final pairing in the final round of the Women’s Open, Noh was overcome by championship nerves. She had several putts for birdie and par that, on a normal day, she may have sunk. But Noh’s putting strokes were tentative, and she shot a 74 (+3) to finish in solo third place.
Though third was not the finish she was looking for, Noh matched her best finish at a major championship.
“Obviously it stings coming up one short and having a not great round, but I’m still very happy to have been in this position. And coming down 18 in front of the big crowds and playing at The Open, it was really special. Reminded me why I love this game and why I’m here,” Noh said in an interview after her final round on Aug. 2.
That left two to battle until the very end: Henseleit and Kuwaki. Henseleit was playing in the final pairing with Noh, and Kuwaki was in the second to last group.
Now, there were advantages to each player’s tee time in this final round. Kuwaki had free reign to post the best score possible and get into the clubhouse in a good position. Her fate was in her own hands until she was finished and had to wait for the final result. Henseleit had the advantage of being the last player on the course to author her own story, but she had to play all round with the weight of the leaderboard on her shoulders. While her fate was also in her own hands, it’s sometimes mentally taxing to constantly see the number you’re trying to beat.
But Henseleit’s position in that final pairing may have been what spurred her final-round push. She danced around the leading number all back nine. After Henseleit bogeyed hole No. 16 to drop out of a share of the lead and made par on No. 17, the tournament was looking like it was over. Kuwaki posted a solid 1-under-par 70 to take the clubhouse lead at 5-under, one ahead of Henseleit and Noh.
When the final group arrived on the 18th tee box, both Henseleit and Noh knew what was at stake. Both had to birdie the last to force a playoff in the last major of the season, but only one made it happen. Henseleit was locked in on that 72nd hole. She piped a drive, confidently picking up the tee after the shot. But when she hit her second shot onto the left side of the green, she had around a 40-foot putt for the much-needed birdie.
What does Henseleit do? She absolutely drains it.
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“Yeah, I mean, it was a very confusing putt to be honest, and it was going right to left and everything. Yeah, the last three feet it was tracking and I was, oh, okay it might actually go in. Yeah, it was a great moment when that putt dropped in,” Henseleit said in a post-round press conference on Aug. 2.
Celebrations ensued, the best from Henseleit’s caddie and husband, Reece, and we were headed back to the 18th tee for a playoff.
Henseleit looked like the more confident competitor on the first playoff hole. She sent a near perfect drive down the left side of the hole and had a great look at the pin. Kuwaki, on the other hand, left her drive out to the right and ended up in some thick fescue in front of a fairway bunker. She had to punch out to around where Henseleit’s ball sat, setting up her third shot while Henseleit was hitting her second.
Henseleit hit a wedge to a makeable birdie putt distance, but Kuwaki’s wedge topped hers. Kuwaki had about a three-foot putt to save an unthinkable par. After Henseleit two-putted for her par, Kuwaki confidently made her par to extend the playoff.
The second playing of the 18th during extra holes was like someone played an Uno reverse card. This time, Henseleit pushed her drive into a patch of gorse just off the spectator path. Kuwaki countered with a beauty of a drive down the middle of the fairway. Henseleit had to punch out and then hit a wedge to have a chance to save par. Kuwaki hit her second shot safely on the green in regulation.
Henseleit had a chance to extend the playoff after Kuwaki missed her birdie putt, but her par putt never had a look at going in.
Kuwaki tapped in for par, clinching her first major title.
Kuwaki is more evidence of the hold that Japan is beginning to have on women’s golf. She joins her compatriot Miyu Yamashita as the second consecutive Japanese player to win the Women’s Open and seventh Japanese player to win an LPGA Tour major. She’s also the second consecutive player to win her first major at the Women’s Open, as Yamashita did so as a rookie last season.
Kuwaki is a decorated JLPGA player, with five wins on the Japanese tour. With her Women’s Open win, she earned LPGA Tour membership status and deferred it to the 2027 season. The 23-year-old is already beloved; so many of her fans carrying flags and wearing her signature bright clothing lined the Lytham fairways. Kuwaki will certainly be building on that stardom on the LPGA Tour in the years to come.
“Yeah, I was planning to go play in Q-School later this year so I don’t have to worry about that anymore. Yeah, just to have all those things you said coming my way is just something that’s very, very special and hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” Kuwaki said through translation in her post-win press conference on Aug. 2.
Nelly Korda wins 2026 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award
With the end of the major season came the announcement of the 2026 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award winner for the player with the best finishes in 2026 major championships. This year, it may be no surprise that Nelly Korda took home this award. In majors this season, Korda has four top-10 finishes and two wins.
It’s kind of silly that after all Korda has done this season, we still expect so much more. She had two chances to complete the career grand slam and three chances to earn LPGA Hall of Fame status. That just shows you the level of golf that’s on display week after week from the World No. 1.
Well even though major season is over, there is a lot of golf left to play this season. The LPGA Tour is off until next week’s The Standard Portland Classic in the beautiful and mysterious Pacific Northwest. But, there is still golf this week (hallelujah). From Aug. 6-9, the LET keeps it in England with the PIF London Championship at Centurion Club, and the Epson Tour heads to Appalachia for the Smoky Mountain Championship from Aug. 6-8.
See you next week, golf fans.
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This week in women’s golf
Solheim Cup News
Eight automatic qualifiers for 2026 European Solheim Cup team confirmed
Nordqvist names captain’s picks for 2026 European Solheim Cup team
Angel Yin and Jennifer Kupcho clinch spots on 2026 U.S. Solheim Cup team
LPGA News
The LPGA Tour returns to Corning in 2027 with The Classic
Nelly Korda wins 2026 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award
Shiho Kuwaki wins maiden major title with playoff victory at 2026 AIG Women’s Open
Eight industry professionals earn their place at 2027 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
LET News
LET heads to Centurion Club for sixth edition of PIF London Championship
Watch live: 2026 PIF London Championship
Tan full of confidence heading into 2026 PIF London Championship
Darquea relishing return to Centurion Club after runner-up finish in 2025
European Solheim Cup vice captain Hedwall returns to competition
Home stars Hewson and Gainer hoping to inspire youngsters at 2026 PIF London Championship
LET CEO Tom Phillips reflects on first 100 days
The AIG Women’s Open sees crowds, broadcast and digital engagement surge
Epson Tour News
Players to watch: 2026 Smoky Mountain Championship
Things to know about the 2026 Smoky Mountain Championship
Field breakdown: 2026 Smoky Mountain Championship
Amateur Golf News
Everything to know about the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur at the Honors Course
Inside the field: 126th U.S. Women’s Amateur
Anna Davis leads early, embraces last U.S. Women’s Amateur opportunity
Live updates: Who will make match play at 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur?
Junior PGA champions crowned in dramatic finish
Five at The IX: Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist makes picks for Solheim Cup squad
After the conclusion of the AIG Women’s Open on Aug. 2, the top eight players in the European Solheim Cup points standings were solidified for the 20th edition of the Solheim Cup. On Monday, Aug. 3, Team Europe captain Anna Nordqvist announced her captain’s picks to round out her full squad of 12 players headed to Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands from Sept. 11-13. Here are some quotes from the Team Europe captain and her picks, thanks to the Ladies European Tour.
“I’m really excited to be part of Team Europe again in September and I’m happy that Anna has picked me to be on the team. I love the Solheim Cup, it brings the best out of my game and I love being part of the team. I can’t wait to represent Europe for the fourth time and to be back on European soil.” — pride of Ireland Leona Maguire
“It’s so cool! I have a lot of respect for Anna and trust her decisions. I’m living the dream right now. This is what you dream of when you’re a kid to be on the team and be able to experience it and all the big crowds. I’m on cloud nine. I wanted to get there and the fact I’ve achieved this dream super quick is amazing. I’m so excited.” — LET rookie Julia López Ramirez
“It’s unbelievable! If you’d have told me six months ago, I’d be on the European Solheim Cup team, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s a dream come true to be able to represent Europe and in a home Solheim Cup on European soil. I’m so excited and proud to be part of Team Europe in September.” — LET winner Nastasia Nadaud
“It’s always been a dream and goal of mine to play in the Solheim Cup. Being part of the PING Junior Solheim Cup in 2019 showed me what this team means, and to now be selected for the 2026 Solheim Cup is beyond anything I imagined. I’m so proud to represent Team Europe so early in my professional career, and I can’t wait until September.” — 2025 LET Rookie of the Year Mimi Rhodes
“Leona has proved herself at the Solheim Cup, she has a huge passion for the European team and her record speaks for itself. She is a player you want on your team especially in matchplay and I’m thrilled to pick her.”
“Julia has really impressed me since turning professional. She has a great personality and she is a great ball-striker, very passionate and will bring great energy to the European team.”
“Nastasia is a great young player who has been getting better and better in the qualifying period. After getting her first win on the LET, she is having a solid rookie season on the LPGA and is deserving of a spot on the team.”
“Since turning professional, Mimi has impressed me with her performances, winning three times on the LET last year and has played on the LPGA Tour. She is an experienced matchplay player and is a fierce competitor.” — Team Europe captain, Anna Nordqvist
“Becoming Caitlin Clark” is out now!
Howard Megdal’s newest book is here! “Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar” captures both the historic nature of Clark’s rise and the critical context over the previous century that helped make it possible, including interviews with Clark, Lisa Bluder (who also wrote the foreword), C. Vivian Stringer, Jan Jensen, Molly Kazmer and many others.
Soccer: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson, AP Women’s Soccer
Tennis: Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon, Freelance Tennis Writer
Basketball: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal, The IX Sports
Softball: Maren Angus-Coombs, @Maren-Angus, The IX Sports
Golf: Marin Dremock, @MDremock, The IX Sports
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