Ester Henseleit sank a birdie putt on the 18th hole [2] to force a playoff at the 2026 [1] AIG Women's Open.

The finish keeps the championship undecided and elevates the pressure on both competitors. A single stroke on the final hole shifted the tournament from a potential victory for Shiho Kuwaki into a sudden-death scenario.

Henseleit entered the final hole needing a birdie to tie Kuwaki. The successful putt on the 18th hole [2] ensured that neither player would walk away with the trophy during regulation play. This result marks one of the most competitive conclusions in the history of the event.

Kuwaki had maintained a lead heading into the final moments of the round. The birdie by Henseleit neutralized that advantage, triggering the playoff rules for the tournament.

Both golfers now face a series of additional holes to determine the 2026 [1] champion. The playoff will test the mental fortitude of both athletes after a grueling final round of play.

“Ester Henseleit sank a birdie putt on the 18th hole to force a playoff”

The forced playoff underscores the high-stakes nature of major championship golf, where a single putt can erase a lead and reset the competition. By forcing the playoff, Henseleit has shifted the psychological momentum, turning a definitive win for Kuwaki into a high-pressure endurance test.