HINAKO SHIBUNO: A Star is Born

I woke up, turned the TV on and watched a lady sink a putt.  The crowd went wild!  This was the 18th hole of the Women's British Open at the Woburn Golf Club located 50 miles northwest of London.  Hinako Shibuno of Japan had to shoot a 31 on the back nine to beat Lizette Salas by one stroke.

Only 20 years old, Hinako had just made a birdie, which won her the championship.  You'd be pardoned for not knowing who she is, for even if you are into watching women's golf on television, this was her maiden Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) event.  She's not even a member of the LPGA, but will be allowed to keep the $675,000 prize and all the benefits that will come.

Way back in 1977, Chako Higuchi won a Women's PGA Championship, so Hinako is the second Japanese female winner of a major.  No such victory yet for Japanese male golfers.

Shibuno is from Okayama, located north of Hiroshima.  She is a rookie on the Japan LPGA, and qualified for the Women's Open because she prevailed in a ladies world championship.  Woburn was the first time she had ever competed outside of her country.  She has a double-jointed swing that is an anatomical feat.  She says:  They call me Smiling Cinderella.  I'm always smiling.

Anything else interesting about Hinako?  Stopped by London's British Museum and enjoyed the mummies.   She had the lead after the third round, and asked what she would next do:  Eat, take a shower, eat some sweets, watch You Tube and sleep.  On the course in the heat of battle she was high-fiving spectators.  Upon winning, she said, I feel like I'm going to vomit.   She has a manager, Hiroshi Shigematsu, who follows her on the course, colorfully dressed, to relax her.  Guess which one is Hiroshi?

She says of his costumes:  Difficult to comment, but a little embarrassing.  I try not to look.

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Tropical Storm Flossie's track pattern now appears to cover all of Oahu, Molokai, Lanai and Maui, but should weaken into a depression by Tuesday morning at dawn when she passes over my apartment 

Tropical Storm Francisco will not attain typhoon strength, but still bring a lot of rain to Japan and South Korea:

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