Japan’s Hinako Claims Half-Way Lead in Houston

Houston, Texas, United States: Hinako Shibuno was smiling broadly once more as she soared to the top of the leaderboard at the half-way stage of the 75th US Women’s Open.

Last summer in her first tournament outside of her native Japan, Shibuno captured the AIG Women’s British Open by one stroke, carding four rounds in the 60s and being labelled the ‘Smiling Cinderella’ after charming the galleries at Woburn with her ebullient personality and dashing performance.

That earned the 22-year-old an exemption into the 2020 US Women’s Open, where she’s making the most of her inaugural foray into the oldest women’s Major championship.

Shibuno posted a four-under-par 67 on the Jackrabbit Course at Champions Golf Club on Friday for a three-shot lead over amateur Linn Grant of Sweden. She opened play with a 68 on Cypress Creek.

Grant, who played Jackrabbit on Friday, became just the second amateur in championship history to begin with consecutive rounds in the 60s (69-69), joining 2017 runner-up Choi Hye-jin.

First-round leader Amy Olson fired a 72 on Jackrabbit and is in a tie for third place at three-under 139 with University of Texas All-American Kaitlyn Papp and Megan Khang, who like Olson is still seeking her first professional win.

Among those lurking five back are Yuka Saso of the Philippines, joint runner-up in the inaugural Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in Singapore in 2018, and Thailand’s Jutanugarn sisters, Ariya and Moriya, along with American veterans Cristie Kerr and hometown favourite Stacy Lewis. Kim Sei-young, who won this year’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and former world number one Lydia Ko, herself a two-time Major winner, sit six back.

Due to weather concerns – the players experienced a few raindrops during the day – starting times for round two were moved up 80 minutes. Fortunately, the precipitation never got too heavy nor was there any lightning, and all 155 players (Hur Mi-jung withdrew on Thursday) completed 36 holes.

Shibuno became the second consecutive Japanese player making her US Women’s Open debut to lead at the mid-way juncture. Mamiko Higa did it in 2019 at the Country Club of Charleston in South Carolina before tying for fifth, three back of champion Jeon-geun Lee6.

From a Major perspective, 2020 has been a bit of disappointment so far for Shibuno. She missed the cut in her title defence at the Women’s British Open in August at Royal Troon, then tied for 51st and 58th in her debuts at the ANA Inspiration and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, respectively.

Shibuno’s three other 2020 LPGA Tour starts – she regularly competes on the LPGA Tour of Japan – have also been disappointing. She has a missed cut (Ladies Scottish Open), a tie for 24th (Cambia Portland Classic) and a tie for 27th (ShopRite Classic).

Shibuno registered six birdies against two bogeys. She followed a disappointing three-putt bogey on 16 with a birdie on the par-four 17th before closing with a par.

Her goal now is to become the third player since 2000 to win the title with at least a three-stroke lead going into the final 36 holes (Karrie Webb in 2001 and Michelle Wie in 2014).

Two years ago at Shoal Creek, Sarah Jane Smith held a three-stroke advantage over the field through 36 holes and finished tied for fifth. Also in the mix that year was Grant. Now a sophomore at Arizona State, Grant sat four strokes behind Smith at the mid-way point before it all unravelled on Saturday when she shot 78 and then closed with an 81 to finish joint 57th. She’s hoping that will be a lesson well learned.

“That third round, that was probably the worst thing that could happen,” said 21-year-old Grant, who registered four birdies against two bogeys on Friday. “So I feel like I can do better this time for sure.”