Hinako Shibuno had the time of her life last week at the Women’s British Open.
The 20-year-old rookie from the Japan LPGA Tour, had never ventured outside her own country to play a golf tournament yet there she was on Sunday, smiling, slapping hands and generally having the time of her life while the pressures of the final round of a major championship weighed on everyone around her.
Shibuno is called “Smiling Cinderella” back in Japan and she was smiling as she lined up a 16-foot putt at the 72nd hole at Woburn Golf Club for birdie and victory.
Lizette Salas was on the nearby practice putting green, hoping for a playoff. Salas had just missed a five-footer for birdie at the 18th that would have gotten her in at 18-under. Instead, it was Shibuno who had the last chance to post 18. She didn’t hesitate and she made sure her putt would reach the hole. She hammered it and it slammed into the back of the hole then in for a 68 and the winning 18-under score.
“I was looking at the board all the time and I knew my position,” Shibuno said. She knew she was tied for the lead and while she waited for Salas and Jin Young Ko to finish at 18, she was laughing and generally yucking it up with her caddie back in the fairway. After the wait, she hit a wonderful six-iron that set up her winning putt.
What was Shibuno thinking before the putt? “I was thinking how I would celebrate,” she said with the ever-present smile on her face.
She won more than a major championship, she won over the galleries with her interactions, her smiles, the selfies she posed for between holes and her beyond-cheerful attitude. Her performance was amazing — all four rounds in the 60s.
For Salas, it was a sad ending. She played a marvelous round, paired with Ko, the world’s No. 1. She closed with 65 for solo second but will remember the five-foot lip-out at the final hole.
“I put a good stroke on it,” Salas said. “I’m not going to lie, I was nervous. You know, I haven’t been in that position in a long time. Gave it a good stroke. It just didn’t drop.”
Women’s British Open Scoreboard:
2 Comments
baxter cepeda
Just finished watching all of GC/NBC coverage and glad I did.
Shibunos personality is more of a shocker than her win. I mean Her game and focus for those critical seconds are world class.
But how can someone be so Shibuno?
A sport lacking personality, joy, suddenly the women’s game has the human being with the most personality and joy in the world.
How can you not love her?
Btw I am partial to Lizette, LA and having witnessed her break the course record at Koolina; only to lose in a crushing playoff. I still remember seeing Stacy Lewis consoling her on their way out. This has to feel even worse. It was even harder to watch. But Cannot stress enough how amazing Salas played with the courage it takes to be in that position.
Salas was a rock until that final stroke.
The stroke was good, but most crushed ones are. Hope Salas remembers all the good she did, learns some things, and gets it done very soon.
Kudos to Morgan Pressel, another great champion, for her gutsy showing trying to catch Solheim attention. Jy Ko so close to 3, she is the brooks kopepka of women’s golf.
But this was destiny for Shibuno, who is a breath of fresh air to golf. She may break all the norms of behavior, while remaining very respectful, but Shibuno is major Champ.
I really am glad I witnessed this ‘Hello World’ moment for this charismatic smile unseen since the OG “Hello World” with Tiger.
Tom Edrington
Yes, 20 years old, doesn’t have any scar tissue yet. Poor Lizette, played a near-perfect round until the money putt stared her in the face.