Woburn (United Kingdom) (AFP)

The 20-year-old Hinako Shibuno of Japan, who was playing her first major tournament, won Sunday's British Open, becoming the second Japanese to win a Grand Slam golf event.

The young woman still can not believe what is happening to her. "What I did was just amazing, I was nervous on the first nine holes, but OK on the last nine, and I started to make birdies," commented the one whose nickname is "Cinderella" smiling. "

Despite a double bogey followed by a bogey in the first part, the Japanese never panicked and won with seven birdies, the last of 5.50 m on the difficult 18th and last hole. By making a last card of 68 for a total of 270, 18 under the par, she was one step ahead of the American Lizette Salas.

South Korean Ko Jin-young, N.1 world after her success at the Evian Championship last Sunday, took the 3rd place with two strokes of the Japanese.

- "Trees, as in Japan ..." -

All smiles, Hinako Shibuno explained that she believed the British was fighting on a coastal course: "I was surprised to see trees, as in Japan, when I arrived, it really helped me."

Hinako Shibuno is only the second Japanese to remove a Grand Slam tournament after Chako Higuchi in 1977 (at the LPGA Championship). No golfer from the Land of the Rising Sun has had the honor of a major title.

Very relaxed despite the pressure put by Salas, with whom she played on the last lap, Shibuno greeted the spectators and smiled throughout the course.

American Morgan Pressel finished 4th (-15) just ahead of South African Ashleigh Buhai, the only leader in the first two days (-14).

The French Céline Boutier, 14th Saturday, has returned to make an excellent card of 66, as Friday, and finish with a total of -12 (276) and a sixth place. Winner of her first tournament in Australia, Handa Vic Open, she has signed two Top 10 in the major this year after her 5th place at the US Open.

Finally, South Korean Park Sung-hyun, N.2 World, dropped from 3rd position to 8th, with a total of -10.

The other symbol of triumphant youth is Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul, just 16 years old, who finished 29th with a total of 284, which allowed her to retain the Smyth Salver trophy for best amateur.

© 2019 AFP