Japan’s Hinako Shibuno reacts as she holds the trophy as she celebrates after winning the Women’s British Open golf championship at Woburn Gold Club near near Milton Keynes, England, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

MILTON KEYNES, England (AP) — Hinako Shibuno of Japan finished with a birdie to win the Women’s British Open by one shot over Lizette Salas as she wrapped up a stunning major championship debut on Sunday.

The 20-year-old Shibuno, a rookie on the Japan LPGA Tour who was making her LPGA Tour debut, birdied five of the final nine holes in a 4-under 68 and 18-under 270 overall.

Salas, who started the day tied for fourth, quickly played herself into contention with three birdies in the first four holes, and she added five more in a 7-under 65 at Woburn Golf Club.

But the American will regret not taking another birdie chance on the 18th when she shared the lead with Shibuno. It was Salas’ best finish at a major.

Jin Young Ko, seeking her third major title of the year after winning the Evian Championship last week, was third, two shots back after a bogey-free 66.

Morgan Pressel (67) finished fourth at 15 under, just ahead of early leader Ashleigh Buhai (70), whose hopes were dented Saturday when she let a five-shot lead slip. The 30-year-old South African finished fifth at 14 under. </s> MILTON KEYNES, England -- Hinako Shibuno of Japan finished with a birdie to win the Women's British Open by one shot over Lizette Salas on Sunday as she wrapped up a stunning major championship debut.

The 20-year-old Shibuno, a rookie on the Japan LPGA Tour who was playing for the first time outside of her country, birdied five of the final nine holes in a 4-under 68 and 18-under 270 overall.

"I was also thinking about if I were to make this putt, how I was going to celebrate," Shibuno said of approaching the 18th. "Eat a lot of sweets."

Largely unknown before the championship, Shibuno -- nicknamed "Smiling Cinderella" -- started Sunday with a two-stroke lead but lost it with a double bogey on the par-4 3rd. She bounced back with birdies on Nos. 5 and 7 before a bogey on the 8th at Woburn Golf Club.

But in three of four rounds, Shibuno has shone on the back nine. She did it in 31 on Sunday -- and just 30 on Thursday and Saturday.

"Now that I've won, I think a lot of the Japanese people will know me, but in actuality, I just wanted to live a quiet life," Shibuno said.

"I was looking online, and I did see that it's been 42 years since a Japanese player has last won. I do feel that I have accomplished something great, but I really don't know the reason why I was able to accomplish it."

Salas, who started the final round tied for fourth, quickly played herself into contention with three birdies in the first four holes, and she added five more in a 7-under 65.

But the American will regret not taking another birdie chance on the 18th when she shared the lead with Shibuno.

"I told myself, `You got this. You're made for this.' I put a good stroke on it. I'm not going to lie, I was nervous," Salas said after her best finish at a major. "You know, I haven't been in that position in a long time. Gave it a good stroke. I controlled all my thoughts. It just didn't drop."

Jin Young Ko, who was seeking her third major title of the year after winning the Evian Championship last week, was two shots back in third after a bogey-free 66.

"I had a little pressure, but I like that pressure," Ko said.

Morgan Pressel (67) finished fourth at 15 under, just ahead of former leader Ashleigh Buhai (70), whose hopes were dented Saturday when she let a five-shot lead slip. The 30-year-old South African finished fifth at 14 under.

"If you had given me a top five at the beginning of the week, I most certainly would have taken it," Buhai said.

Also, Celine Boutier shot a 66 to finish the tournament at 12 under, followed by Carlota Ciganda (70) at 11 under and second-ranked Sung Hyun Park (73) at 10 under.

American Nelly Korda (68) tied for ninth with Jeongeun Lee6 (71) at 9 under, two shots ahead of Lexi Thompson (67).

Defending champion Georgia Hall (73) tied for 35th. </s> Hinako Shibuno hadn't played a golf tournament outside of Japan before this week. Heck, she hadn't ever played a major championship.

Turns out her game travels just fine.

The 20-year-old—nicknamed "Smiling Cinderella" for her jubilant on-course demeanor—emphatically nailed an 18-foot putt on the 72nd hole to win the AIG Women's British Open. Her 18-under total of 270 was good for a one-shot victory over American Lizette Salas, who was practicing for a playoff when Shibuno rammed her birdie effort into the back of the cup to cap off a final-round 68.

"I still feel like I'm going to vomit," Shibuno said. "I was more nervous on the front nine but I was OK on the back nine. I felt like I was going to cry on the 18th but the tears didn't come out."

Shibuno and Salas, who had just one top 10 on the season coming into this week, went shot-for-shot in what turned out to be a thoroughly entertaining afternoon of action at Woburn Golf Club. The two players combined to shoot eight under on the final nine holes, which were particularly kind to Shibuno—she shot even par on the front nine over the four days and 18 under on the back.

World No. 1 Jin Young Ko, who won her second major of the year at last week's Evian Championship, finished in solo third at 16 under. American Morgan Pressel was a shot further back in solo fourth. </s> MILTON KEYNES, England — Hinako Shibuno's dream debut continued Saturday as she fired a 5-under-par 67 to seize a two-shot lead going into the final round at the Women's British Open.

The 20-year-old Shibuno, a rookie on the Japan LPGA Tour who is making her LPGA Tour and major championship debut, hit six birdies in the final nine holes of the third round for a 14-under 202.

Overnight leader Ashleigh Buhai (72) started with a three-shot lead at Woburn Golf Club and stretched it to five as Shibuno had bogeys on Nos. 5 and 9. But with second-ranked Sung Hyun Park also closing in, Buhai stumbled with three bogeys in five holes. The 30-year-old South African, who has never won on the LPGA Tour, dropped to second at 12 under.

Americans Morgan Pressel and Lizette Salas and top-ranked Jin Young Ko were tied for fourth at 10 under. Ko (68) is seeking her third major title of the year after winning last week's Evian Championship in France.

Pressel birdied eight holes on her way to a 66, and Salas (70) had two bogeys in her opening nine. </s> Japan’s Hinako Shibuno hits a shot during the AIG Women’s British Open golf championship at Woburn Gold Club near near Milton Keynes, England, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

MILTON KEYNES, England (AP) — Hinako Shibuno’s dream debut continued Saturday as she fired a 5-under 67 to seize a two-shot lead going into the final round at the Women’s British Open.

The 20-year-old Shibuno, a rookie on the Japan LPGA Tour who is making her LPGA Tour and major championship debut, hit six birdies in the final nine holes of the third round for a 14-under 202.

Overnight leader Ashleigh Buhai (72) started with a three-shot lead at Woburn Golf Club and stretched it to five as Shibuno had bogeys on Nos. 5 and 9. But with Sung Hyun Park also closing in, Buhai stumbled with three bogeys in five holes. The 30-year-old South African, who has never won on the LPGA Tour, dropped to second at 12 under.

Second-ranked Park was a shot further back in third after a bogey-free 68.

Americans Morgan Pressel and Lizette Salas, and top-ranked Jin Young Ko, were tied for fourth on 10 under. Ko (68) is seeking her third major title of the year after winning last week’s Evian Championship in France.

Pressel birdied eight holes on her way to a 66, while Salas (70) had two bogeys in her opening nine. </s> The final women’s Major of 2019 concluded and the relatively unknown Hinako Shibuno came out on top in her first ever pro start outside of Japan.

Shibuno’s nickname in her homeland is ‘Smiling Cinderella’ and she quickly became a fan favourite at Woburn, smiling and laughing everywhere she went.

The 20-year-old is a Japan LPGA Tour rookie and this was her first ever main LPGA Tour event – she can now become a member.

Shibuno shot a 68 (-4) on Sunday to finish at 18 under and win by a single stroke from Lizette Salas after a birdie on the last.

She was out in one over after a double-bogey at the 3rd hole but came back in 31 with five birdies and no bogeys.

That wasn’t even the best she had played the back nine all week with two 30s.

Salas looked likely to win her maiden Major, especially when she hit it to 5ft on the 18th but her putt just lipped out on the right edge.

She must have thought that a playoff was on the cards before Shibuno rolled in an 18 footer for the title.

Last week’s Evian Championship winner and World Number One Jin Young Ko was looking to win her third Major of the season but came up two shy to finish 3rd after a 66.

“I was looking at the board all the time and I knew my position,” Shibuno said of her putt on 18.

“I was also thinking how I would celebrate,” she said, revealing she would “eat a lot of sweets.”

Shibuno has won twice already on the Japan LPGA Tour this year and ranked 46th in the world before the week.

Woburn’s own Charley Hull was the top Brit at five under and in T24th.

It could have been much better for Hull but a four over par 76 on Sunday dropped her down the leaderboard.

Bronte Law was tied with Hull at nine under after three rounds but a 78 (+6) dropped her down to T35th alongside defending champion Georgia Hall. </s> Hinako Shibuno smiles a lot. And why wouldn’t she. Just 20, Shibuno was playing tournament golf outside Japan for the first time at the AIG Women’s British Open at Woburn Golf Club in England. But Shibuno wasn’t merely sightseeing. With one final putt—an aggressive stroke that luckily hit the back of the cup and dropped—Shibuno won the tournament by one stroke over Lizette Salas.

The final-hole birdie was set up by a solid iron shot from 165 yards that settled on the green approximately 20 feet from the hole. That shot was hit with a Ping i210 6-iron, a players irons with perhaps a tinge more forgiveness than some others in that category. The putt was struck with the company’s Sigma 2 Anser blade.

It was one final birdie for Shibuno on a nine that she owned for the week. While her play on the front nine was scratchy in spots, her golf on the incoming nine was nothing short of stellar. Shibuno’s had a 72-hole total of 18 under par and she was 18 under par on the back nine for the week with no bogeys on that stretch.

Shibuno has won twice this year on the Japan LPGA, but now has proven that she can win away from her homeland as well—and in a big way.

Just another reason to keep smiling.

What Hinako Shibuno had in the bag at the AIG Women’s British Open: </s> Hinako Shibuno of Japan finished with a birdie to win the Women’s British Open by one shot over Lizette Salas as she wrapped up a stunning major championship debut on Sunday.

The 20-year-old Shibuno, a rookie on the Japan LPGA Tour who was making her LPGA Tour debut, birdied five of the final nine holes in a 4-under 68 and 18-under 270 overall.

Largely unknown before the championship, Shibuno — nicknamed “Smiling Cinderella” — started Sunday with a two-stroke lead but lost it with a double bogey on the par-4 3rd. She bounced back with birdies on Nos. 5 and 7 before a bogey on the 8th at Woburn Golf Club.

But in three of four rounds, Shibuno has shone on the back nine. She did it in 31 on Sunday — and just 30 on Thursday and Saturday.

“She just gets up and rips it. She did really great,” rival Ashleigh Buhai said about Shibuno.

Salas, who started the final round tied for fourth, quickly played herself into contention with three birdies in the first four holes, and she added five more in a 7-under 65.

But the American will regret not taking another birdie chance on the 18th when she shared the lead with Shibuno.

“I told myself, ‘You got this. You’re made for this.’ I put a good stroke on it. I’m not going to lie, I was nervous,” Salas said after her best finish at a major. “You know, I haven’t been in that position in a long time. Gave it a good stroke. I controlled all my thoughts. It just didn’t drop.”

Jin Young Ko, who was seeking her third major title of the year after winning the Evian Championship last week, was two shots back in third after a bogey-free 66.

“I had a little pressure, but I like that pressure,” Ko said.

Morgan Pressel (67) finished fourth at 15 under, just ahead of Buhai (70), whose hopes were dented Saturday when she let a five-shot lead slip. The 30-year-old South African finished fifth at 14 under.

“If you had given me a top five at the beginning of the week, I most certainly would have taken it,” Buhai said.

Also, Celine Boutier shot a 66 to finish the tournament at 12 under, followed by Carlota Ciganda (70) at 11 under and second-ranked Sung Hyun Park (73) at 10 under.

American Nelly Korda (68) tied for ninth with Jeongeun Lee6 (71) at 9 under, two shots ahead of Lexi Thompson (67). </s> MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND—Hinako Shibuno’s dream debut continued Saturday as she fired a 5-under 67 to seize a two-shot lead going into the final round at the Women’s British Open.

The 20-year-old Shibuno, a rookie on the Japan LPGA Tour who is making her LPGA Tour and major championship debut, hit six birdies in the final nine holes of the third round for a 14-under 202.

“It’s definitely exceeding my expectations,” Shibuno said on the tournament website. “I came here wanting to make the cut, so right now I feel like I’m doing something very incredible. It’s more like a Japanese golf course, so maybe that’s why it’s going so well.”

Overnight leader Ashleigh Buhai (72) started with a three-shot lead at Woburn Golf Club and stretched it to five as Shibuno had bogeys on Nos. 5 and 9. But with Sung Hyun Park also closing in, Buhai stumbled with three bogeys in five holes. The 30-year-old South African, who has never won on the LPGA Tour, dropped to second at 12 under.

“I hit so many good shots on that front side,” said the 30-year-old Buhai. “I had so many chances. A few putts were just a bit short and unfortunately on the back side, I just got a little rattled.

“I kind of felt like I just lost a bit of composure in my rhythm a little bit, but I hit some good shots on the last two holes. A lot of my wins have been come-from-behind. I always feel better chasing. I think I had a four-shot lead at one stage, but I didn’t let that bother me or get to me. I think during a four-round tournament, everybody is going to have a little wobble in their round somewhere.”

The second-ranked Park was a shot further back in third after a bogey-free 68.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., the lone Canadian to make the cut, shot 74 and was tied for 37th.

Americans Morgan Pressel and Lizette Salas, and top-ranked Jin Young Ko were tied for fourth on 10 under. Ko shot 68 and is seeking her third major title of the year after winning last week’s Evian Championship in France. Pressel birdied eight holes on her way to a 66, while Salas had two bogeys in her opening nine on the way to a 70.
In golf, Japan's Hinako Shibuno wins the year's final major championship by one shot over American Lizette Salas. Shibuno, a 20-year-old rookie on the Japan LPGA Tour, was playing outside her home country for the first time, and was also playing for the first time in a major recognized by the U.S. LPGA.