Hinako Shibuno

Hinako Shibuno, nicknamed 'Smiling Cinderella', is a Japanese professional golfer who won the 2019 Women's British Open in her first tournament outside Japan and her major debut.

Hinako Shibuno arrived at the 2019 Women's British Open at Woburn as an unknown quantity outside Japan and left as a major champion, closing with a 68 that included five back-nine birdies to win by one stroke in her first tournament outside her home country and her debut major appearance. She turned professional in 2018 and enjoyed an outstanding rookie season on the LPGA of Japan Tour in 2019, winning five times and being named the tour's Player of the Year. Shibuno's rookie season culminated in a fairytale run at the 2019 Women's British Open at Woburn, her first tournament outside Japan and her major championship debut. Largely unknown to international golf fans beforehand, she closed with a four-under 68, including five birdies on the back nine, to win by one stroke over Lizette Salas, becoming the second Japanese woman to win a major after Hisako Higuchi's 1977 LPGA Championship, and earning the nickname 'Smiling Cinderella' for her joyful, unguarded demeanor throughout the week. Shibuno earned her LPGA Tour card for 2022 through qualifying school, and continued to challenge at the top level of women's golf, finishing runner-up at the 2024 U.S. Women's Open and recording multiple top-10 finishes across the majors in 2024 and 2025. Popular in Japan for both her golf and her cheerful personality, she has drawn major sponsorship deals and remains one of the sport's most recognisable young ambassadors.

Athletic, aggressive player with a strong short game and a joyful, expressive on-course demeanor

One of the most beloved and marketable figures in modern Japanese golf, following in the footsteps of Hisako Higuchi

• Women's British Open champion (2019)
• Second Japanese woman to win a major, after Hisako Higuchi (1977)
• LPGA of Japan Tour Player of the Year (2019)
• U.S. Women's Open runner-up (2024)