Major debut for Hinako Shibuno alias “Smiling Cinderella” already leader the day before, the Japanese won with panache this Sunday at -18 on the AIG Women's British Open 2019. Aged 20, the Japanese woman is playing her first LPGA tournament this week. from his native country. Nice performance by Céline Boutier who gets a very honorable 6th place at (-12)  

Hinako Shibuno celebrates his victory Tropée en mainHinako Shibuno celebrates his victory at the British Women's Open at Woburn. Photo Tim Ireland / AP

Hinako Shubino the nice surprise of the week started off his career on the LPGA circuit, winning beautifully for his first tournament outside his hometown, signing at the same time his first major title.

The Japanese nicknamed at home Smiling Cinderella (Smiling Cinderella), had already signed two victories this year on the JLPGA (Japanese Tour), including one of the major of the Japanese circuit.

Thanks to her six birdies on the last 9 holes and her last putt of more than five meters, the smiling Cinderella offers herself the Women's British Open at -18 (270).

Suddenly ahead of the American Lizette Salas, who missed a return to the clubhouse at -18, her birdie putt at one meter fifty incomprehensibly missed the target. The South Korean Jin Young Ko, victorious a week ago in Evian, completed the podium at -16 (272). Céline Boutier, the only Frenchwoman who crossed the cut on Friday evening in Woburn (England), pulled out all the stops in this final round of the Women's British Open 2019. A second card of 66 (-6) without a bogey allows her to finish in sixth place (-12). This is his second top 10 of the season in Grand Slam after a top 5 at the US Open last June!

As she made her way to the green, Shibuno smiled and waved at the grateful crowd. After hitting the 18's putt for the win, his hand resting on his mouth in disbelief, once again under a broad smile and a cheerful, almost embarrassed laugh, one of the reasons his nickname in his homeland is Smiling Cinderella.

The only other Japanese player to win a major LPGA or PGA tour title is Chako Higuchi, who won the 1977 KPMG Women's Championship.

“Arigato gozimas,” said Shibuno behind the championship trophy, thanking Japanese media before being translated by an interpreter: “I can't really describe in words how I feel.” Then, with a rudimentary smile and laugh, added, “I'm hungry too. "

This sensational Sunday had more chapters than a Charles Dickens novel. The six players from the last three peers had a chance to win. Ko, who finished with a 66, took third place with 272 points and won the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award for the best overall performance of the year in major tournaments.

Morgan Pressel, whose last victory was 11 years ago, finished with 67 to be 273 with Ashleigh Buhai at 274, Celine Boutier at 276, Carlota Ciganda at 277 and Sung Hyun Park at 278. Nelly Korda and Jeongeun Lee6 finished at 279 .

“I was looking at the board all the time and I knew my position,” she said of the importance of the # 18 putt. “I was also thinking about how I could celebrate,” she said. she said with refreshing honesty. When asked how she was going to celebrate, Shibuno replied, “by eating a lot of candy. "

Shibuno has won hearts all week and on Sunday she won one of the major major championships in golf, the Japanese player has her own version of the glass slipper. Cinderella's smile had the last laugh.

See the final ranking