Hinako Shibuno proved how serious she is when it comes to golf in the second round of the U.S. Open.
Japanese golf star Hinako Shibuno swung a monumental 4-under 67 to amass six birdies in Round 2 of the 2020 U.S. Women's Open in the Jackrabbit course at Champions Golf Club.
Hinako Shibuno had already mastered the grassy, Houston terrain. Her Thursday outing drove her to a four-birdie, one-bogey 68, which became inferior when Friday came.
Shibuno bettered her previous score, overtaking a three-shot lead over Swedish amateur Linn Grant.
Hinako Shibuno started her Cypress Creek shot with 68.
Shibuno, who was dubbed as Japan's 'Smiling Cinderella,' joined her first tournament in Woburn last summer. The 22-year-old rising star climbed to popularity after winning the AIG Women's British Open in 2019, through four rounds in the 60s by one stroke. Many British fans admired her 'smiling' personality after the competition.
"I turned from a normal person to a celebrity overnight, and I don't know how to explain it. In Japan, even though I was wearing a mask, people recognized me. It's more difficult for me to go out to dinner than before," Shibuno said.
Shibuno's opening at the Champions Golf Club tricked Grant that she could not come back in the track anymore. After logging in her three-putt bogey at the par-3 16th, she carded a birdie putt at 10 feet for a comeback.
"No pressure whatsoever. I'm playing a major in the United States, unlike when I was at the British Open, where I feel like I am starting from scratch," Shibuno remarked.
Grant moved up in the ladder, recording a 69-69 in the 60s. It put her in history as the second amateur to knot that card, matching 2017 contender Hye-Jin Choi.
The Arizona State student extracted her talent at the Shoal Creek, where she played her first U.S. Women's Open. Grant was 18 years old back then, and she concluded a 78-81 round finish to end up at the fourth place.
The competition saw two underdogs in the list. Texas native Kaitlyn Papp was present in the windy spot after birdieing three-holes-out-of-five. She drew an equalizing shot for third place, together with American veterans Megan Khang and Amy Olson. The two were still in the process of chasing a nimble win of the tourney.
The U.S. Open is teeming with talents, including Ariya Jutanugarn, Cristie Kerr, and Stacy Lewis, who is eyeing another trophy for her collection. The three titlists shared fifth place.
PMG Women's PGA champion Sei Young Kim hung is at sixth place with Kiwi star Lydia Ko, the youngest player to land the No.1 rank in the history of golf.
Shibuno was only next to fellow Mamiko Higa, as the second Japanese to lead in the mid-round of the U.S. Women's Open debut.
The "Smiling Cinderella" might be happier now than before. Missing the LPGA membership was a move that slipped away from her. The Women's British missed the cut and landed 50th after a 12-over-par slip in two rounds.
Shibuno found a possible trip to the LPGA Q-School, but it was hindered by the pandemic. She finalized moving to a more competitive ground in the U.S. after participating in the Japan Women's Open Championship two months ago.
"I realized that they were on totally different levels with me. That incident made me want to go to the U.S. and compete in more high-level tournaments," Shibuno ended.
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