On August 4, 2019, life changed for Hinako Shibuno. Ramming home a birdie putt at number 18 at Woburn Golf Club, Shibuno introduced herself to the world of golf by winning the 2019 AIG Women’s Open in her first competition outside of her native Japan. Known as the Smiling Cinderella for her radiant smile that captured the hearts of the golfing world, Shibuno found herself in the center of media attention when she returned home.
“Looking at me in the magazines and newspapers, it seemed really unreal. I didn’t feel like it was me, “Shibuno said Tuesday from the AIG Women’s Open 2020, where she will attempt to defend her title at the Royal Troon.” But the hard thing about getting that attention was winning the majors, I had fixed. a higher expectation of myself and it was a bit difficult to cope with reality with the high expectations I had set about myself. “
Shibuno arrived in England last year expecting a link style course and was pleasantly surprised by the familiar park layout of the Woburn Golf Club. He finally got a taste of link golf at last week’s Aberdeen Standard Investment Ladies Scottish Open and he struggled, shooting 79-77 to miss the cut. The Royal Troon, which has hosted The Open nine times, is a truly classic link layout, and Shibuno now knows what it’s for as it seeks to become the first player to successfully defend an AIG Women’s Open title from Yani Tseng in 2011.
Of course, he will go to the course with a smile on his face.
“I’ve always been aware of keeping a smile on my face while playing, but after winning the Women’s Open last year, it made me realize, once again, the importance of playing with a smile on my face,” he said. Shibuno. “And this week is going to be windy and some rain is to be expected and the course will run very differently depending on the wind. I’ll have to play smart. But at the same time as reigning champion, I will have fun and I also want to show a new part of the game, a new part of my game this year. “
Shibuno opens the title defense on Thursday at 12:49, playing with Brooke Henderson and Ashleigh Buhai.
