Hinako Shibuno is one of Japan’s finest female players, with a major championship to her name as part of her seven professional wins.
Born in November 1998 in Okayama, Japan, Shibuno was destined for sporting greatness. Her parents were both track and field athletes, and Shibuno grew up playing golf, softball and baseball. After eventually choosing golf to be the main sport, she went on to turn professional before her 20th birthday.
In her first full season on the LPGA Tour of Japan, Shibuno took the tour by storm. She won five times, with her first coming at one of the tour’s majors, the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup. She had three more wins on the JLPGA Tour that year, along with an incredible one-shot victory at the AIG Women’s Open as well, on her LPGA Tour and major championship debut.
In total, the Japanese star has seven professional titles, and she has also recorded top ten finishes in three of the other four major championships in the women’s game.
Hinako Shibuno | Player Profile
Personal Information
Name: Hinako Shibuno
Born: November 15, 1998
Nationality: Japan
Residence: Okayama, Japan
Career
Turned Pro: 2018
Professional Wins: 7
Highest World Ranking: 11 – September 23, 2019
Best Results In Majors
Best Finishes:
– Chevron Championship – T4 (2022)
– Women’s PGA Championship – T7 (2024)
– US Women’s Open – 2nd (2024)
– Amundi Evian Championship – T51 (2024)
– AIG Women’s Open – WON (2019)
Professional Wins – 7
2019 (5) – World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup, Shiseido Anessa Ladies Open, AIG Women’s Open, Descente Ladies Tokai Classic, Daio Paper Elleair Ladies Open
2021 (2) – Stanley Ladies Golf Tournament, Mitsubishi Electric/Hisako Higuchi Ladies Golf Tournament
Achievements and Awards
LPGA Tour of Japan Player of the Year – 2019
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hinako Shibuno
When and where was Hinako Shibuno born?
Hinako Shibuno in Okayama, Japan in November 1998. SHe took up the sport from a young age, alongside playing baseball.
When did Hinako Shibuno turn professional?
Hinako Shibuno turned professional in 2018, and she went on to dominate the LPGA Tour of Japan a year later.
How many major titles has Hinako Shibuno won?
As of 2025, Hinako Shibuno has won one major championship. That came at the AIG Women’s Open in 2019. She also has six other professional victories, all of which have come on the LPGA Tour of Japan.
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What is Hinako Shibuno’s nickname?
Hinako Shibuno is affectionately known as the ‘Smiling Cinderella’ thanks to her happy persona on the golf course.
Did you Know?
Debut Season Player of the Year
Shibuno’s first full season on the LPGA Tour of Japan came in 2019. Incredibly, she notched up five wins, including the major win at the AIG Women’s Open, and she was named the LPGA Tour of Japan’s Player of the Year
Debut Major Win
The major victory at Woburn was incredibly her first appearance on the LPGA Tour. Not only that, but it was the first tournament she had played outside of Japan – not a bad way to start!
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