Winner's Circle

Winner’s Circle: Hinako Shibuno Claims Stunning Victory at AIG Women’s British Open

Posted By

August 5, 2019

Hinako Shibuno Wins Women's British Open — Hinako Shibuno of Japan celebrates victory with the trophy during the final round of the AIG Women's British Open at Woburn Golf Club on August 04, 2019 in Woburn, England. Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Hinako Shibuno carded a final-round 68 at Woburn Golf Club to claim a major victory in her first ever LPGA start at the AIG Women’s British Open.

Shibuno finished at 18-under par, one clear of runner-up Lizette Salas (65).

The 20-year old from Okayama Prefecture, Japan became just the second player her country – male or female, to win a major golf championship, joining Chako Higuchi, who won the 1977 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Pro-File

Full Name: Hinako Shibuno
Nationality Japan
Height: 5′ 5″
Birthdate: Nov. 15, 1998 (age 20)
Native: Okayama Prefecture, Japan

Final Scores: Top 5

Pos-Player-To Par (Final Rd)
1. Hinako Shibuno -18 (-4)
2. Lizette Salas -17 (-7)
3. Jin Young Ko -16 (-6)
4. Morgan Pressel -15 (-5)
5. Ashleigh Buhai -14 (-2)

Shibuno’s Winning Numbers

Driving: 254.9 yards
Fairways: 43/56, 76.8%
Greens: 60/72, 83.3%
Putts/GIR: 101/1.68
Par-3s: (-3) 4 Birdies, 11 Pars, 1 Bogey
Par-4s: (-8) 14 Birdies, 21 Pars, 4 Bogeys, 1 Double
Par-5s: (-7) 7 Birdies, 9 Pars
Total: (-18) 25 Birdies, 41 Pars, 5 Bogeys, 1 Double

2019 LPGA Tour Season

Starts: 1
Cuts Made: 1
Wins: 1 (AIG Women’s British Open)
Addtl Top 10s: N/A
Earnings: $675,000 (19th)

Video: Shibuno’s Day-4 Highlights

Things To Know

With her win, Shibuno is eligible for LPGA Tour Membership; she can accept immediate Membership, which would count 2019 as her rookie season, or take Membership for the 2020 season
Shibuno is the second Japanese player to win a women’s major championship, joining Chako Higuchi, who won the 1977 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship; no male player has won a professional major championship
She is playing in her first LPGA Tour event and for the first time ever outside of Japan
She is the 26th non-LPGA Member to win an LPGA Tour event and the first since Jin Young Ko won the 2017 LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship
She is the second player this decade to win in her major debut, joining Hyo Koo Kim (2014 Evian Championship)
Shibuno is in her rookie year on the JLPGA Tour after spending 2018 on the tour’s developmental Step Up Tour

Quotable

Prince Charming..
“A trophy is a trophy, so I can’t really compare to Prince Charming, but this is definitely the most valuable trophy I’ve ever received.”
– Hinako Shibuno

Credits: Getty Images, LPGA Media