Hinako Shibuno reacts to a chip shot that almost went into the cup on the 17th green during the third round of the U.S. Women s Open golf tournament on Dec. 12 in Houston. (AP Photo)
Hinako Shibuno said on Saturday she is learning to live with the overnight celebrity she gained after coming out of nowhere to win last year s Women s British Open in her first LPGA event.
Shibuno, who is known for her solid all-round game and magnetic personality, was dubbed the Smiling Cinderella after the breakthrough win, which catapulted her to fame in her native Japan and beyond.
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In 2019 at England’s Woburn Golf Club, Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, nicknamed Smiling Cinderella for her ever-present grin, found her glass slipper by capturing the AIG Women’s Open title. Little more than a year later, Shibuno is inching ever closer to a second fairy-tale moment. On Friday, the 22-year-old shot a 4-under 67 on Champions Golf Club’s Jackrabbit Course and pulled three strokes clear of the field at the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open at -7 overall.
“Today my tee shots found the rough more often. However, my second shots were pretty stable and able to par on to the greens,” said Shibuno, who had six birdies and two bogeys on Friday. “So my golf today was pretty safe, stable condition. At the same time, when it comes to the chance for a birdie, my putting was pretty good.