Hinako Shibuno isn’t a member of the LPGA Tour, but she’s leading a Major for the second time in two years, with a one-shot advantage going into the final round of the 75th US Women’s Open. The Japan LPGA Tour member found fame at the 2019 AIG Women’s British Open, where she won the trophy and fans with her happy, smiling nature. All of which has resulted in her nickname, “Smiling Cinderella.”
But don’t let the smile fool you. She’s a competitor.
“I feel like it’s either a great poker face or she’s that smiling assassin,” Lydia Ko, who’s four behind at even-par, said of Shibuno. “I feel like I smile quite a lot out there, but I’m pretty grumpy compared to her. But, no, I think she’s stayed pretty calm and you saw her at the British Open, I’m sure, going into that Sunday there were, there might have been doubts, because not many people have heard of her compared to some other players. But she showed them who is boss and she’s clearly doing that right now.”
When Shibuno won the Women’s British Open, it was her first time playing golf outside of Japan. She showed up at the course thinking she was going to be playing a classic links-style layout, but Woburn Golf Club is a parkland course. The tournament turned her into an instant celebrity. She can’t go anywhere without being recognised in her home country.
“In Japan, even though I was wearing a mask, people recognised me,” Shibuno said.
When a non-member wins a Major, she has the option to accept full LPGA Tour membership. Shibuno turned it down to get more experience playing on the JLPGA for another season, and 2019 was just her first season on the JLPGA. If she were to win this Major, however, she’s quick to say she’d accept LPGA membership this time.
After two rounds at the US Women’s Open, the 22-year-old led by three. Saturday was a tough day at Champions Golf Club, with only two players shooting under par. Shibuno was one of the many players who found several bogeys on the Cypress Creek course. She finished with a bogey at the 18th, shooting a three-over 74. It was just enough to maintain the lead, by one over Amy Olson.
None of the four Australians remaining in the field is in contention, with Hannah Green the best of them so far at five over par, tied-33rd, having picked up a few places with a 73 today. Although she was two over for the day it reflected the difficulty of the course, dampened by rain and playing long.
“It felt like I was more consistent than what the score showed, but it was pretty tough there,” Green said. “I was saying to my caddie, I don’t think I’ve ever hit so many hybrids into par fours and par threes before. The first three holes I had hybrid, so, yeah, it was tough.
“Looking at my score I was quite surprised that I’m in the position that I am. Even shooting over par I’ve gained some strokes on the field.”
The West Australian thought the conditions challenging to say the least, with mud balls and hidden pins. “Yeah, it’s so tough,” said Green. “Last year we were battling the heat; this year we’re battling the length of golf course and also chilly mornings and some rain, which I hope we can miss tomorrow.
“So especially just having two venues. That’s been probably the toughest thing, getting to know two courses in such a short amount of time. But we are really fortunate that the course is set up really well. The USGA do a good job, always make it tough. So I’m excited for tomorrow see how it all pans out.”
Of the other Aussies, amateur Gabriela Ruffels had a disappointing day with six bogeys in her 76 but still sits inside the top 40. “The course is tough,” Ruffels said. “I think it was definitely the toughest day. Conditions, it was super wet out there, a lot of mud balls and the pins were tucked, and it was hard to get close to the pins. This course is very tough and the USGA set it up super tough. It was a really good challenge.”
Minjee Lee (seven-over) and Su Oh (10-over) are well back in the field.
– written with Martin Blake, golf.org.au
