Golf-mad Japan salutes ‘Smiling Cinderella’

Japan yesterday hailed a fairytale finish for Hinako Shibuno, the 20-year-old golf sensation known as ‘Smiling Cinderella’ because of her radiant smile, who was crowned the surprise winner at the British Open. “She did it!” said TV presenter Tomoaki Ogura after Shibuno, in her debut tournament overseas, became Japan’s first Major-winner in 42 years.“Who expected she could do this much in her first competition abroad, a Major championship?” he said in his morning show on a private TV network. Shibuno’s win at her first Major dominated morning television shows in Japan yesterday, topping news items.The story broke too late for the front pages of Japan’s newspapers, but was splashed across their websites. Despite the huge popularity of golf in Japan, only one Japanese player — male or female — had previously won a Major: Chako Higuchi at the 1977 Women’s PGA Championship. Social media was abuzz with congratulations for the 20-year-old Shibuno, who only turned pro last year. “A star is born!” tweeted one Japanese user. “A historic achievement,” another wrote.On Japanese television, Higuchi said Shibuno looked as “relaxed” as if she were playing in Japan. “She is a new kind of player,” the Daily Sports newspaper quoted Higuchi as saying.Shibuno hit a gutsy 18-foot birdie putt at the final hole to seal victory at Woburn on Sunday, finishing with a 68 and 18-under-par as she beat American Lizette Salas by a single stroke. South Korea’s world number one Ko Jin-young, who was seeking her third Major title of the year, had to settle for third place following a 66.Jun Sato, chief of the golf club where Shibuno practised until she graduated from high school, told the Mainichi Shimbun he was elated by the victory. “I don’t just feel happy, I feel superb!” he said. Shibuno herself seemed overwhelmed by the victory. “I didn’t feel that nervous when I was on the last putt,” she told reporters. “But after the win I was just covered in goosebumps and I feel so tense now I just don’t know what to say!”She said she planned to celebrate her historic victory by indulging her cravings. “I want to buy as many snacks as I can eat,” Kyodo news quoted her as saying.Shibuno, who started the day with a two-shot lead, double-bogeyed the third hole, which perhaps was a blessing in disguise in that it relieved the pressure of being the frontrunner. “I don’t think many people, including me, like to be in a situation where you’re leading,” she said.“I feel like it’s better to be behind than leading. That was true today and I was able to play easier when I was in that position. I was looking at the board all the time, and knew my position, where I stood in the tournament. That was also true before the putt on the 18th and I was also thinking about if I were to make this putt, how I was going to celebrate.”Runner-up Salas rued a five-foot birdie putt at the final hole that lipped out. “I’m not going to lie, I was nervous,” she said. “I haven’t been in that position in a long time. I gave it a good stroke. I controlled all my thoughts. It just didn’t drop, so congrats to our winner.”