Golf news - 'Smiling Cinderella' Hinako Shibuno wins Women's British Open

ByReuters

Updated 04/08/2019 at 20:37 GMT

Aug 4 (Reuters) - 'Smiling Cinderella' Hinako Shibuno completed a fairytale week by winning the Women's British Open in her first LPGA event at Milton Keynes on Sunday.

Hinako Shibuno of Japan kisses the trophy after her one shot victory in the final round of the AIG Women's British Open on the Marquess Course at Woburn Golf Club on August 04, 2019 in Woburn, England

Image credit: Getty Images

The 20-year-old Japanese rank outsider, who earned her nickname because of her radiant smile, rammed home a lengthy birdie putt of just under 20 feet at the final hole to edge out American Lizette Salas by one stroke.

Playing outside Japan for the first time as well as in her first major, Shibuno reacted with glee and astonishment, covering her mouth with her hand after the winning putt rattled in at Woburn for a closing four-under-par 68.

Hinako Shibuno celebrates a fairytale victory

Image credit: Getty Images

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She finished on 18-under 270 to become the second Japanese woman to win a major, after Hisako "Chako" Higuchi in 1977.

Salas, two behind overnight, caught Shibuno on the front nine and thought she had done enough with a seven-under 65 final round.

But Shibuno, ranked 559 in the world at the start of the year, found five birdies on the way home.

Hinako Shibuno of Japan hits a birdie putt on the par 5, 15th hole during the final round of the AIG Women's British Open on the Marquess Course at Woburn Golf Club on August 04, 2019 in Woburn, England.

Image credit: Getty Images

"I still feel like I'm going to vomit," Shibuno said moments after her victory.

"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."

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