Shibuno holds early lead in Women’s British Open
Japan’s Hinako Shibuno made birdies on the first three holes and carded eight total Thursday in her round of 6under-par 65, giving her a oneshot lead over American Jessica Korda after the first round of the Women’s British Open in Muirfield, Scotland.
Scotland’s Louise Duncan and Mexico’s Gaby Lopez were tied for third, two shots back.
Shibuno, the 2019 Women’s British Open champion, missed the cut at last week’s Scottish Open.
“It has been a long time since I’ve played this well, especially putting. Honestly, it was a little frightening,” Shibuno said through an interpreter. “I haven’t changed much. My caddie told me that my body balance was off when I was missing putts. Once I focused on this, I could play much better.”
Korda made four birdies and had an eagle on the 17th despite missing her normal clothes after her luggage got stuck at an airport in Switzerland.
“If anyone knows anyone at the Zurich airport that would like to put my suitcase on the one flight a day that they have coming into Edinburgh, I’d deeply appreciate it,” Korda said. “I know where it is. I have an air tag on it. I can’t get anyone to actually go get it.
“Monday, I wore Megan Khang’s pants. Tuesday, I wore
my sister’s pants and Wednesday, I wore Alison Lee’s pants. Today, I’m wearing FootJoy pants.”
Nelly Korda, Jessica’s sister, was tied for 13th after a 70.
PGA Tour: In Greensboro, N.C., John Huh made seven of his eight birdie attempts from 10 feet or closer and holed a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 15th hole for a 9-under 61, giving him a two-shot lead over Sungjae Im in the Wyndham Championship — the final tournament of the regular season.
“It’s kind of strange because like earlier I mentioned, I wasn’t really feeling great with my game and (to) shoot my
career low, it’s kind of weird,” Huh said. “Sort of mixed feelings, but I’ll take this any day.”
Im had two eagles in his round of 63. Brandon Wu, a Stanford alum who was born in Danville, and Peter Malnati were at 64.
European tour: England’s Dale Whitnell, Scotland’s Connor Syme and France’s Julien Guerrier each carded a 4-under 67 to share the first-round lead of the DP World Tour’s Cazoo Open in Newport, South Wales.
Guerrier had seven birdies against three bogeys, Syme had five birdies and one bogey and Whitnell posted four birdies without a bogey.