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HInakoShibuno was born on November 15, 1998 in Okayama, Japan. Growing up in an athletic family where both her parents succeeded in track and field, Shibuno started playing softball and golf at the age of 7. As a golfer, she placed third in the 2010 Okayama Prefecture Junior Golf Championship in the 4th through 6th grade division.

A stellar athlete, Shibuno was the only female on the baseball team in junior high school, but took up golf fulltime after winning the 2011 Okayama Prefecture Junior Golf Championship in the junior high school division. In 2014, Shibuno won the Chugoku Region Women’s Amateur Championship and was a high school champion in the team competition at the 2015 National High School Golf Championship.

Upon graduating from high school in 2017, Shibuno failed to turn professional after advancing to the final stage of qualifying. Therefore, she played in the step-up tour circuit in 2018. Her only appearance on the JLPGA was after earning a spot in the Earth Mondahmin Cup as a Monday qualifier. Despite missing the cut, Shibuno had the shot of the week with a hole-in-one on her first day of the event on the 9th hole.

Shibuno turned professional in July of 2018 and won her first professional tournament in May of 2019, defeating Bae Seon-Woo by one shot at the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup. Shibuno’s second professional victory came less than two months leater at the Shiseido Anessa Ladies Open, defeating Lee Min-Young in a playoff.

Playing her best golf of her young career, Shibuno shocked the golfing world by winning the AIG Women’s British Open in August of 2019. It was her first event outside of Japan and first LPGA Tour event. By winning, Shibuno became the first Japanese player since Hisako Higuchi in 1977 to win a women’s major championship.

After winning the Brisith Open, Shibuno made a bit of a shocking revelation that she wasn’t going to accept the LPGA Tour Membership that came with the win. Just shy of 21 years of age, Shibuno wasn’t ready for the lifestyle of traveling around the world. She felt more comfortable remaining in Japan and continue on the JLPGA Tour.

Shibuno’s next win came at the Descente Ladies Tokai Classic on September 22, 2019 by two strokes after a final round of 64. Dominating the JLPGA, Shibuno won yet again before the end of 2019, claiming the Daio Paper Elleair Ladies Open by one shot after firing two rounds of 66 on the weekend.

Shibuno won twice on the JLPGA Tour in October of 2021, both in a playoff, to increase her wins total to six on the JLPGA Tour and seven worldwide. After a number of LPGA Tour competitions under her belt, Shibuno traveled to Mobile, Alabama and earned her LPGA Tour membership through qualifying school.

Although gaining LPGA Tour membership would be a goal to some, for Shibuno it’s just the starting point. Her goals are more major championships. Besides her win at the Women’s British, Shibuno’s best finish in 10 major appearances is 4th at the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open. In fact, it is winning that event that is at the top of Shibuno’s wish list. Keep an eye on her at the majors and all throughout this season as a contender for Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year.