2026 AIG Women’s Open Tournament Results Summary
The 2026 AIG Women’s Open is the final major tournament of the women’s golf season, held at Royal Lytham & St Annes in Lancashire, England. The tournament took place from July 29th to August 2nd, with 144 players competing in the four-round main event.
According to a statement from The R&A, this tournament was the 50th AIG Women’s Open since its establishment in 1976. The course was designed with a par of 71 and a length of 6,601 yards, and the total prize money was a record-breaking $10,000,000.
Kuwaqi Shiho wins her first major title after overtime
Japan’s Kuwaki Shiho won the championship after tying for the lead with Germany’s Esther Henzel at a final score of 5-under par. She secured the victory by parring the second playoff hole, while Henzel recorded a bogey after her tee shot landed in a thicket of bushes.
Guwak won his first major title and a winner’s prize money of $1,500,000 with this victory. According to the official announcement from the AIG Women’s Open, he achieved a green hit rate of 81% during the tournament, ranking him first overall, and a fairway hit rate of 79%, placing him tied for third.
Evaluation of top-ranked players and Fantasy Golf
The results in 2026 demonstrated that accuracy and crisis management skills are more important than long drives at the Links Course. The deep pot bunkers put pressure on the players, and only 11 players managed to finish with a score under par.
Kuwaqi Shiho: A top-priority card focused on accuracy
Guwaki had been on a winning streak, having won two tournaments in Japan in the three months leading up to the competition. Based on his recent performance and suitability for the course, he was a player who could potentially deliver high returns in the Fantasy Golf competition.
Esther Henselright and No Yeurim: Top-Tier Value Assets
Hansellite finished in second place, reaching the playoff after sinking a long birdie putt on the 18th hole. Noh Ye-rim led by three strokes after the third round with a score of 7 under par, but lost strokes on the final day and finished in third place, one stroke behind the playoff.
Both players were considered valuable assets, with their odds of winning being lower than the top contenders. In particular, No Yeo-rim demonstrated her strength on links courses, achieving a fairway hit rate of 76% through the first three rounds and tying for second place with an average of putts per round.
Nelly Korda and Jinyoung Titi: Reliable key players
During the tournament, Nelly Korda and Jin Young Ko, who were among the top-ranked players in the world, both recorded a score of 2-under-par, tying for 4th place. Although they did not win, their scores allowed them to make the cut and achieve a high ranking, making them valuable and consistent players in this type of tournament format.
Ryu Hae-ran and Charlie Hull finished the tournament in a group at 1-under par. Ryu Hae-ran took the lead after the second round, but her performance faltered during the weekend rounds, demonstrating that in links tournaments, it is important to consider not only the overall ranking but also the consistency of scores in each round.
2026 AIG Women’s Open: Player Selection Criteria
The right to compete in the AIG Women’s Open is not simply determined by the LPGA Tour ranking. Past champions, the top performers from the previous year’s tournament, major women’s tournament champions, top performers in the LPGA Tour and LET, and players with high world rankings all qualify through various exemption criteria.
In addition, the right to compete is granted through performance in the Japan Women’s Professional Golf Tour, major tournaments in each region, and the final qualifying rounds. Separate pathways for participation are also available for top-ranked amateur players worldwide. The Smith Salberg award is presented to the highest-ranked amateur player after the completion of the fourth round of the main tournament.
In 2026, Paula Martín Sampedro of Spain won the Smith Salver for the second consecutive year, finishing with a score of 4 over par, 288 strokes. She finished the tournament five strokes ahead of the other amateur players.
How to Form a Fantasy Golf Team for Links Courses
Verifying green hit rate and fairway accuracy, rather than driving distance
Royal Riddom and St. Andrews are characterized by narrow fairways and deep bunkers. It is effective to prioritize players with high green hit rates and fairway hit rates, as exemplified by the winner Kuwaki’s record.
Reflects performance over the most recent 8 to 12 weeks
Looking only at the overall season ranking might obscure recent positive trends. Checking the results of the previous tournament, whether the player has made the cut in consecutive events, and experience on links or windy courses can help identify undervalued players.
Balance star players with value players
A strategy that focuses on players with a high probability of making the cut, such as Kodana Titikun, and combines them with players who are currently in good form and well-suited to the course, such as Guwaki, Henselright, and No Yerim, is advantageous. Concentrating the budget on a few potential winners can be risky in links tournaments, which are prone to unpredictable outcomes.
Confirming the final roster and health status
Before the fantasy roster is finalized, it is necessary to check for withdrawals, injury reports, group assignments, and the final list of participants. Even if a player has secured the right to compete, they may be replaced just before the tournament, so it is advisable to verify the official information until the roster deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When and where was the 2026 AIG Women’s Open held?
The official tournament schedule was from July 29th to August 2nd, 2026, and the main competition, consisting of 4 rounds, took place from July 30th to August 2nd at Royal Lymington and St. Anne’s in the United Kingdom.
Who will be the winner of the 2026 AIG Women’s Open?
Japan’s Kuwaki Shiho, with a final total of 5 under par, defeated Ester Henseleit in the second playoff hole to win her first major championship.
What was the total prize money for the 2026 AIG Women’s Open?
The total prize money was a record-breaking $10,000,000, and the winner, Kuwaki Shiho, received $1,500,000.
How are participants selected for the AIG Women’s Open?
Participants are selected based on various criteria, including past champions, winners of major tournaments, top performers in the LPGA and LET, players with high world rankings, those who have advanced through regional tours and qualifying rounds, and top-ranked amateur players.
What are the key records at the Links Course Fantasy Golf?
First, you should check the fairway hit rate, green hit rate, bunker avoidance ability, and recent cut-making rate. In windy conditions, a low trajectory shot and stable short game ability are also important.
Who was the best amateur athlete in 2026?
Paula Martin Sampredo of Spain won the Smith Salver with a score of 288, 4 over par. This is her second consecutive win, following her victory in 2025.
