Shibuno seals major win at first attempt

Japan’s Hinako Shibuno birdied the final hole to win the AIG Women’s British Open in thrilling fashion on her major championship debut at Woburn.

Shibuno overcame a fourputt double-bogey on the third hole to card a closing 68 and finish 18 under par, a shot ahead of American Lizette Salas, who lipped out from four feet for a birdie on the last.

Shibuno had never played a professional event outside Japan before this week, but the 20-year-old ended it as a major champion after holding off the challenge of Salas and world No 1 Ko Jin-young, inset, who was seeking a third major title of the year but had to settle for third place following a 66.

Shibuno,whoisknownasthe “Smiling Cinderella” in Japan, told Sky Sports Golf through an interpreter: “I’m nervous now that I’ve won and I still feel like I’m going to vomit!

“I was more nervous on the front nine but on the back nine I was OK and I was able to make a lot of birdies as well.”

Asked about her winning putt on the 18th, Shibuno added: “I hit the putt a little too strong. I felt like I was going to cry but the tears didn’t come out.”

Shibuno took a twoshot lead over South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai into the final round but saw it disappear as she four-putted the third from long range and Salas surged to the top of the leaderboard with three birdies in the first four holes. After dropping ashot on the sixth to fall into a five-way tie for the lead, Salas responded with four birdies in the next five holes and twice briefly enjoyed a two-shot lead, but could not shake off playing partner Ko.

Ko carded a hat-trick of birdies from the fifth and also picked up shots on the tenth, 12th and 13th as the final round threatened to turn into a twohorse race, but Shibuno steadied the ship with birdies on the fifth and seventh.

A three-putt bogey on the eighth left Shibuno two shots behind but the Japan Tour rookie had played the back nine in 13 under par in the first three rounds and picked up shots on the tenth, 12th, 13th and 15th to join Salas in the 2 Hinako Shibuno looks scarcely able to believe she has won the AIG Women’s British Open – her first pro event outside Japan lead on 17 under. Salas looked set for a brilliant 64 following a superb approach to the last only to miss her birdie putt from close range and Shibuno made no such mistake to seal a remarkable victory.

The home challenge had quickly petered out yesterday with Charley Hull and Bronte Law, who started the day five off the pace, carding closing rounds of 76 and 78 respectively.