U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

May 29, 2025

Hinako Shibuno

Erin Hills GC

Flash Interview

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the interview area with Hinako Shibuno, 2-under 70. Can you talk us through your round today?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: My shots were not that great, but I was saved by good padding. There are several that the good paddings that really helped me. I did very good on the first half, but that last half I struggled. It seems like it was a completely different person playing.

Q. Do you think the back nine is playing a little bit harder than -- easier than the front nine? You started on the back nine, four birdies, and then kind of stumbled a little bit coming in, three bogeys on the front nine.

HINAKO SHIBUNO: Not really necessarily that back nine are the easier course, but I just made a very long putting. So I would say putts. I would consider that I was very lucky and that that was a great opportunity for me to play well.

However, that first nine, my shot wasn't really good, like at the drive I couldn't even make 200 at one time.

Q. What was your first impression of this golf course when you played it for the first time?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: I felt that I might hit 90.

Q. Did you think -- I guess I shouldn't ask you if you thought it would suit you. Did you feel like with the weather being calmer today, that it was a day that you should take advantage of the conditions?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: This morning it was pretty cold, so I thought about it, and maybe thought I might not get the distance. So those kinds of things I thought about it.

But it was nice that today's wind is not as bad as the practice rounds. Also, that yesterday's rain was helpful.

I think when it went on the green that the ball should stop, it stopped. So that was good.

Q. Japanese players have had a pretty good run in the majors the last year or so. How do you motivate one another, and how do you explain the success and the confidence you've played with as a group?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: Yes, there are some players coming to US LPGA from JLPGA, and all of those players are very strong players. So I actually learned quite a bit from them, and they are actually motivating me.

And sometimes the new players do not have any fears, and that is also good, and I have something to learn from them.

Q. I was just going to ask how you feel the JLPGA prepares players, when they do come here, that they're ready. Can you describe the level of the competition in Japan right now?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: I don't think that they are doing anything special as part of the preparation. They just keep how they play, and they maintain their play style.