Hinako Shibuno, often referred to as the “Smiling Cinderella,” has made a significant impact on the world of professional golf since her debut. Born on November 15, 1998, in Okayama, Japan, Shibuno has risen through the ranks to become one of the most recognizable faces in women’s golf.
Here you will know Hinako Shibuno’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Hinako Shibuno’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hinako Shibuno (渋野 日向子) |
| Date of Birth | November 15, 1998 |
| Age | 26 years old |
| Education | Jōtō Junior High School, Sakuyō High School |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 5’5″ (1.67m) |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Turned Pro | 2018 |
| Net Worth | $1 Million |
| Career Earnings | $3.1 Million |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Instagram Profile | Over 500,000 followers |
| Twitter Profile | Active on social media |
Early Career
Hinako Shibuno grew up in an athletic household in Okayama, Japan, where sports were a family tradition. Her father excelled as a discus thrower while her mother competed in javelin throwing, creating an environment where athletic excellence was encouraged from an early age.
As a second grader, Shibuno began playing both golf and softball, showing natural ability in both sports that would shape her competitive spirit.
During her time at Jōtō junior high school, Shibuno made headlines by joining the school’s baseball club as the only female player on the team. Her versatility extended beyond golf, as she developed skills as a pitcher and converted left-handed hitter in softball.
This multi-sport background contributed to her athletic foundation and competitive mindset that would later serve her well in professional golf.
The turning point in her sports career came in 2011 when she won the Okayama Prefecture Junior Golf Championship in the junior high school division. Following advice from her baseball coach, Shibuno decided to focus exclusively on golf, recognizing her exceptional potential in the sport.
At Sakuyō High School, her dedication paid off when she won the Chūgoku Region Women’s Amateur Championship in 2014 and led her team to victory in the National High School Golf Championship in 2015.
Professional Career
After graduating from high school in 2017, Shibuno initially faced disappointment when she failed her first professional qualifying test. Rather than giving up, she spent 2018 honing her skills on the step-up tour circuit, demonstrating the resilience that would become her trademark.
Her determination paid off in July 2018 when she successfully passed the professional test and officially turned pro.
Shibuno’s breakthrough came in May 2019 when she captured her first professional victory at the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup, one of the four major tournaments on the LPGA of Japan Tour.
This victory opened doors to international opportunities and set the stage for her historic achievement later that year. Her success continued with a victory at the Shiseido Anessa Ladies Open in July 2019, won in a playoff format.
The defining moment of Shibuno’s career arrived in August 2019 at the AIG Women’s British Open at Woburn Golf Club. Playing in her first tournament outside Japan and her first major championship, she delivered a performance that shocked the golf world.
Shooting 18 under par for the tournament, she defeated American Lizette Salas by one stroke to claim her first major title. This victory made her the second Japanese woman to win a major championship, following Hisako Higuchi’s 1977 LPGA Championship win, and the first to win a major on debut since Hyo-Joo Kim in 2014.
Caddie
Her primary caddie was Keisuke Fujino, who worked with her during many important tournaments. However, their partnership faced an unexpected challenge during the 2021 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship when Fujino tested positive for COVID-19 while preparing for their return trip to Japan.
Following the positive test result, Shibuno had to find a replacement caddie for the weekend rounds. She enlisted Yusuf Wazeeruddin to carry her bag for the remainder of the tournament.
Despite the disruption, Shibuno demonstrated her professionalism by continuing to compete under LPGA guidelines, which allowed players to continue with daily testing when their caddies tested positive. The incident highlighted her ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances while maintaining focus on her performance.
Hinako Shibuno’s Net Worth Details
Hinako Shibuno’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025.
Career Earnings
| Year | LPGA Tour Earnings | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | N/A | Turned Professional |
| 2019 | $675,000 | AIG Women’s British Open Winner |
| 2020 | $150,000+ | 4th at U.S. Women’s Open |
| 2021 | $200,000+ | Multiple JLPGA wins |
| 2022 | $250,000+ | 3rd at AIG Women’s Open |
| 2023 | $180,000+ | Consistent performances |
| 2024 | $220,000+ | 2nd at U.S. Women’s Open |
| 2025 | $61,400 | Current season earnings |
Endorsements
Shibuno has built an impressive endorsement portfolio that reflects her popularity both in Japan and internationally. Her primary equipment sponsor is Ping, providing her with clubs and technical support throughout her career.
She also maintains partnerships with Oakley for eyewear and apparel needs. Her Japanese market appeal has attracted major local brands, including a significant deal with Beams, a popular Japanese clothing brand that aligns with her stylish image.
One of her most notable partnerships is with Suntory, the Japanese whiskey company, which demonstrates her crossover appeal beyond traditional golf demographics. In 2024, she added AIG as a major sponsor, becoming an AIG Ambassador in a partnership that celebrates their connection to her breakthrough 2019 victory at the AIG Women’s British Open.
This endorsement portfolio, combined with her social media presence of over 500,000 Instagram followers, generates substantial additional income beyond her tournament earnings.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Professional Wins | 7 total (1 LPGA Tour, 6 JLPGA) |
| Major Championships | 1 (2019 AIG Women’s British Open) |
| LPGA Tour Starts | 100+ |
| Best Major Finish | Winner (2019 AIG Women’s British Open) |
| Career Low Round | 65 |
| Top 10 Finishes | 8 career |
| Top 25 Finishes | 14 career |
| Current World Ranking | 62nd (2024) |
| Cuts Made Percentage | 67% (2025 season) |
| Average Score | 71.2 (career) |
FAQs
1. What is Hinako Shibuno’s most famous achievement in golf?
Shibuno’s most famous achievement is winning the 2019 AIG Women’s British Open, which was her first major championship, first LPGA Tour event, and first tournament outside Japan. She shot 18 under par to defeat Lizette Salas by one stroke.
2. Why is Hinako Shibuno called the “Smiling Cinderella”?
She earned the nickname “Smiling Cinderella” during her 2019 British Open victory because of her constant warm smile and upbeat attitude throughout the tournament. Her fairytale debut victory, coming from relative obscurity to major champion, completed the Cinderella story comparison.
3. What sports did Shibuno play before focusing on golf?
Before concentrating on golf, Shibuno played softball as a pitcher and left-handed hitter, and joined her junior high school’s baseball club as the only female player. She also comes from an athletic family with parents who were track and field athletes.
4. How much money has Hinako Shibuno earned in her golf career?
Shibuno has earned approximately $3.1 million in official LPGA Tour prize money throughout her career. Her biggest single payday was $675,000 for winning the 2019 AIG Women’s British Open, and her total career earnings include additional winnings from Japanese tournaments.
5. What major endorsement deals does Shibuno have?
Her major endorsements include equipment sponsor Ping, eyewear brand Oakley, Japanese clothing company Beams, whiskey company Suntory, and insurance giant AIG. She also has over 500,000 Instagram followers, which adds significant value to her endorsement portfolio and marketability.
