​LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England – Shiho Kuwaki put her shaky hands up to her face in disbelief, her long, colorful fingernails flashed across the screen. Germany’s Esther Henseleit had just drained a 40-foot bomb for birdie on the 72nd hole of the AIG Women’s British Open to force a playoff. The normally stoic Henseleit raised her arm to the sky – and early called it – like a boss.The stylish Kuwaki, who chose not to go to the range to keep warm as she waited, readied herself to go back to the 18th tee at Royal Lytham & St. Annes to see if she could win the Women’s Open in only her second attempt.It took two extra holes, with Henseleit’s tee shot on the second playoff hole appearing to bounce off someone and into the gorse, before Kuwaki clinched it with par.She becomes the third Japanese player to win the Women’s British Open in the past eight editions, carding a 1-under 70 on the last day“I just can’t believe,” said 23-year-old Kuwaki, who was once gifted 264 pounds of rice after winning three times on the JLPGA in 2024. That rice, by the way, she confirmed is now gone. Though she can buy plenty more with the $1.5 million winner’s check. It felt like a free-for-all on Sunday afternoon, with penalizing pot bunkers snatching up nervy shots and players slashing out of the hay in crispy conditions. American Yealimi Noh began the day with a three-shot lead, led by as many as four, and spent most of the back nine hanging on for dear life. She, too, had a putt for birdie to get into the playoff but left it shockingly short. She talked through tears after the round but leaves Lytham with newfound confidence.“Coming down 18 in front of the big crowds and playing at The Open, it was really special,” said Noh, who hadn’t broken par since April coming into the week. “Reminded me why I love this game and why I’m here.”The stylish Kuwaki, with the long eyelashes, Loudmouth clothes and distinctive yellow ball, went down the last 13 holes in 2 under to shoot 70 and get to the grand clubhouse at 5 under, and then waited to see if anyone could catch her.Henseleit, the 2024 Olympic silver medalist who has yet to win on tour, knew her birdie putt on the 18th in regulation was tracking all the way. As she raised her right arm toward the sky, she internally begged it not to lip out.“It would be like the most embarrassing early call ever,” she said, laughing. The only better reaction was that of her husband/caddie/coach Reece Phillips, who practically ran onto the green after throwing several first pumps.While it was the most memorable putt of her life, it wasn’t enough. When asked about the unfortunate bounce on the second playoff hole, Henseleit wasn’t sure what happened but summed it up thusly: “Probably a bit unlucky there. That’s just links golf.”She took it all in stride.The first two majors of the season belonged to Nelly Korda, and after a birdie on 18, the No. 1 player in the world got to 2 under. As everyo