The golfers often have a look that is so enigmatic, it would make even the Sphinx at Giza seem animated.
Not so, Hinako Shibuno. The 24-year-old Japanese woman earned her nickname, “The Smiling Cinderella”, for the glowing beam she got from an LED bulb. She was giggling and grinning as she won the AIG Women’s Open in Woburn, 2019.
Shibuno smiled at the Freed Group Women’s Scottish Open held at Dundonald Links. Shibuno had every right to be happy, of course. A beautifully constructed 8-under-64 on a bright, increasingly breezy Ayrshire morning gave her a two shot lead over Madelene Sagastrom. Louise Duncan was the best Scot on one-under following a late rally.
Shibuno may still smile, but the name that evokes twinkles has disappeared. Shibuno said with a kind of wistful smile, “Nobody now calls me Smiling Cinderella.”
It is likely that the fickle Japanese fans, who shower success in golfers with the same adulation as you would receive at a ticker tape parade, are now focusing their attention on someone else. Shibuno’s progress has been hindered by a minor finger injury. The pressure of living up to the expectations that come with being a major golf champion in her golf mad homeland is a huge factor.
There is no Smiling Cinderella anymore, but there’s a new nickname. Shibuno added, “Lydia Ko once called me the Assassin which I liked better than Smiling Cinderella.” She had Dundonald in her sights yesterday.
What a morning for Hinako Shibuno @Womens_Scottish pic.twitter.com/Me0b08GgHl
Dundonald Links (@DundonaldLinks August 3, 2020
Shibuno took advantage of the sunshine that broke through the light clouds before the wind really got going. Shibuno started her attack on the 10th with a birdie at her first hole. She then increased her momentum with four birdies from the 13th. She said, “I surprised myself by four consecutive birdies.” Shibuno finished the round with a flourish. She birdied three of her four last holes, allowing her to run away from the competition.
Shibuno missed last year’s halfway cut at this championship. She noted that the course was a bit wider this time. Eight birdies really can change the course of a round, huh?
The lively standard Shibuno set would be hard to follow. Sagstrom was determined to succeed and she started off with three consecutive birdies from the 10th tee. The 30-year-old showed impressive poise and patience as she figured out the oddities, quirks and sometimes absurdities of links golf. She has finally mastered the game, as she finished second and fourth in the two AIG Women’s open tournaments held at Muirfield & Carnoustie.
She said, “I hated playing golf in Scotland as an amateur.” “But my Irish caddie and we have been working hard on it over the past couple of years. I am much more creative and he helped me see other shots. “It’s a trip.”
Duncan, on the other hand, harnessed the increasing gusts with great effect at home and was justifiably chuffed with her fighting 71. The 23-year old from West Kilbride made her professional debut at this event last year. She made an early bogey but remained resolute. “A year before, I might have squirmed, but I was able to hold it together,” stated the former Women’s Amateur Champion.
Duncan’s finish highlighted her determination. She smashed a 3-iron to 10 feet at the 15th hole to set up a par.
Duncan added, “The test was very difficult. The greens were much faster than on the practice days, and the wind was brutal.”
Gemma Dryburgh – the Scottish number one – started her day with a birdie from a bunker on the 15th hole. Two loose drives on 17 and 18 brought her down to earth, and she had to settle with a one-over score of 73.
