Shiho Kuwaki (, born 29 January 2003) is a Japanese professional golfer. Kuwaki turned professional in 2021, joining the LPGA of Japan Tour. In 2024, she won the Japan LPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup. On 2 August 2026, she won the Women's British Open to claim her first major title following a playoff with Germany's Esther Henseleit. Kuwaki is noted in the Japanese press for her distinctive fashion on tour.
Early life and amateur career Kuwaki was born on 29 January 2003 in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture. Kuwaki began playing golf at age four. During junior high school, she won the China Women's Amateur Golf Championship. In high school, she won The One Junior Golf Tournament. Kuwaki is a student at Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts.
Professional career Kuwaki turned professional in 2021. That year, she won the JLPTGA Rookies Championship Kaga Electronics Cup.
In 2023, Kuwaki came in second at the Shiseido Ladies Open after losing a playoff against Kokona Sakurai. Kuwaki became noticeable on tour for her distinctive sportswear by sponsor Loudmouth Golf.
In 2024, Kuwaki enjoyed her best season on the LPGA of Japan Tour, with three tournament wins. In June, she won the Shiseido Ladies Open and in August she won the Nitori Ladies Golf Tournament. In November, she won the Japan LPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup, her first major event. During the event, she wore distinctive pants patterned with red lobsters, catching the attention of the Japanese press. After winning the tournament, the LPGA of Japan Tour had her handprints cast in bronze in a shopping center in Nishi-Tachi, Miyazaki City. JA Group Okayama, based in her hometown gifted the player 120kg of Okayama-produced rice and 2kg of Okayama Wagyu beef in honor of her three wins.
In 2024, she qualified for the AIG Women's Open, but was unable to play due to poor health. Kuwaki finished the 2024 LPGA of Japan Tour season in 6th place.
In January 2025, Kuwaki was selected as a designated training player by the Japanese Olympic team. In February, Kuwaki received the Okayama Sports Award, awarded by her hometown for her achievement in sport.
That year, Kuwaki made her LPGA Tour debut, playing the U.S. Women's Open, her first major overseas tournament. She made the cut, but later described the tournament as the "hardest one so far". In August, she won the AIG Women's Open to claim her first major title following a playoff with Germany's Esther Henseleit.
Professional wins (8) LPGA Tour wins (1) Legend Major championships (1) Other LPGA Tour (0)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin ofvictoryRunner-up12 Aug 2026AIG Women's Open66-70-73-70=279−5Playoff Esther Henseleit Co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour.
LPGA Tour playoff record (1–0) No.YearTournamentOpponentResult12026AIG Women's Open Esther HenseleitWon with par on second extra hole
LPGA of Japan Tour wins (6) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up130 Jun 2024Shiseido Ladies Open65-71-69=205−112 strokes Kotone Hori225 Aug 2024Nitori Ladies67-70-69-70=276−121 stroke Bae Seon-woo Karen Tsuruoka324 Nov 2024Japan LPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup66-69-69-72=276−121 stroke Sakura Koiwai417 May 2026Sky RKB Ladies Classic68-66-67=201−151 stroke Wu Chia-yen514 Jun 2026Ai Miyazato Suntory Ladies Open Golf Tournament64-65-70-70=269−191 stroke Kana Nagai627 Sep 2026Miyagi TV Cup Dunlop Women's Open Golf Tournament69-67-68=204−122 strokes Megumi Kido Tournaments in bold denotes major tournaments in LPGA of Japan Tour.
Other wins (1) 2021 JLPTGA Rookies Championship Kaga Electronics Cup
Majors championships Wins (1) YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner-up 2026 AIG Women's Open 3 shot deficit −5 (66-70-73-70=279) Playoff Esther Henseleit
Results timeline Tournament 2025 2026Chevron ChampionshipU.S. Women's OpenT56T14Women's PGA ChampionshipCUTT24The Evian ChampionshipT41Women's British OpenCUT1
CUT = missed the half-way cut T = tied
Summary Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts madeChevron Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0U.S. Women's Open 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 2Women's PGA Championship 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1The Evian Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1Women's British Open 1 0 0 1 1 1 2 1Totals 1 0 0 1 1 3 7 5 Most consecutive cuts made – 4 (2026 U.S. Open – 2026 British Open, current) Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (current)
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