Hinako Shibuno finds putting form to take one-shot lead at Women’s Open

Former champion Hinako Shibuno produced a “frightening” display of putting to claim a narrow lead in the AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield.

Shibuno, who won her maiden major title at Woburn in 2019, made a flying start with birdies on the first three holes and went on to card eight in total in an opening six-under-par 65 in the £6million event.

That gave the 23-year-old from Japan a one-shot lead over American Jessica Korda, with Scotland’s Louise Duncan and Mexico’s Gabby Lopez another stroke back following a 67.

“It has been a long time since I’ve played this well, especially putting. Honestly it was a little frightening,” Shibuno said through an interpreter.

“I haven’t changed much. My caddie told me that my body balance was off when I was missing putts. Once I focused on this, I could play much better.

“Two years ago when we were playing at Royal Troon, the wind completely overtook my shots. I wasn’t thinking about how to use this to my advantage.

“However, for this tournament I could adapt my style to the elements. I imagined my swing, if the wind was coming from the right I could play by feel how far from the pin I needed to aim for.”

Korda recovered from an early bogey to record four birdies and an eagle on the 17th, despite having to play in borrowed clothes as her luggage had failed to arrive.

“If anyone knows anyone at the Zurich airport that would like to put my suitcase on the one flight a day that they have coming into Edinburgh, I’d deeply appreciate it,” the world number 14 said.

“I know where it is, I have an air tag on it. I can’t get anyone to actually go get it.

“Monday I wore Megan Khang’s pants. Tuesday, I wore my sister’s pants and Wednesday I wore Alison Lee’s pants. Today I’m wearing FootJoy pants.”

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