TWENTY-year-old Hinako Shibuno from Japan will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the AIG Women’s British Open after a brilliant back nine at Woburn, on Saturday.

In front of 14,000-strong crowds lining the Marquess’ course, Shibuno reached the turn in one over par.

But the Japanese rookie came alive on the way in with six birdies – including consecutive gains at 17 and 18 – setting up a sizzling 67.

That took her to 14-under for the tournament. It was seriously impressive stuff from the Japanese LPGA rookie playing her first tournament outside her native Japan – and her first Major.

South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai led for most of the day but bogeyed the par-four 16th to slip back, and a level par 72 left her on 12-under overall.

Korean Sung Hyun Park (68) is another shot back in third, with American duo Morgan Pressel (66) and Lizette Salas (70) tied fourth alongside Jin Young Ko (68) – winner of last week’s Evian Championship – who is going for back-to-back Majors.

Spaniard Carlota Ciganda was left to rue a double bogey at the 18th which dropped her to nine-under, the same mark as Woburn favourite Charley Hull and Yorkshire’s Bronte Law, who both shot 70.

Shibuno has never played outside Japan before and only left her country for the first time last year when she went to practise in Thailand.

She is known in the Japanese media as the “Smiling Cinderella.”

Shibuno said: “It’s definitely exceeding my expectations. I came here wanting to make the cut, so right now I feel like I’m doing something very incredible.

“It’s more like a Japanese golf course, so maybe that’s why it’s going so well.”

Buhai was philosophical about her round and admitted she often performs better when not leading from the front.

“I hit so many good shots on that front side,” said 30-year-old Buhai. “I only turned in two-under but I had so many chances.

“A few putts were just a bit short and unfortunately on the back side, I just got a little rattled.

“I kind of felt like I just lost a bit of composure in my rhythm a little bit but I hit some good shots on the last two holes.

“A lot of my wins have been come-from-behind. I always feel better chasing. I think I had a four-shot lead at one stage, but I didn’t let that bother me or get to me.

“I think during a four-round tournament, everybody is going to have a little wobble in their round somewhere.”

Buhai leads at halfway mark at Woburn after getting to 12-under

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SOUTH Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai stormed three shots clear at the AIG Women’s British Open with a flawless second round of 67 in front of nearly 16,000 people at Woburn Golf Club.

The first-round leader did not tee off until 2pm, by which time a number of players had overtaken her on the leaderboard, but she held her nerve to post five birdies and reach 12-under for the tournament.

Japan’s Hinako Shibuno was second on nine-under thanks to a 69, with American Lizette Salas another stroke back and Woburn favourite Charley Hull among five players at seven-under after a second-round 70.

Dorset’s defending champion Georgia Hall had a second successive 69 to lie tied ninth.

England’s Charley Hull plays the second shot on the 12th on the second day of the 2019 Women’s British Open golf championship at Woburn Golf Club, in Milton Keynes, north of London, on August 2, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

Buhai said: “My goal going out was to get to double figures. Once I got it to eight, nine and 10-under, I felt more comfortable and was able to put my foot down.

“I managed to hit it really close on the 15th hole for a tap-in birdie, and had a good shot into 16 and then holed the putt.

“The front nine I was really steady, I didn’t hit many shots close. I birdied my second hole with a good wedge, and hit a few good putts. I’m trying not to keep thinking it’s a Major – it’s just another tournament.”

Shibuno did not have high expectations heading into the tournament but has been pleasantly surprised by her first experience of Woburn, on the Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire border.

Shibuno – known as the “Smiling Cinderella” – said: “I thought the British Open was a links golf course. I knew, but my image was everything links. I just wanted to make the cut, that’s all. I’m a little nervous for the weekend.

Hull, who knows every blade of grass on Woburn’s Marquess Course, surprisingly said: “I started well but couldn’t get the pace of the greens.

“I missed a few putts I should have holed for birdie. I made a couple of bogeys through 13 and 14 where I should have got up and down.

“I holed a few to finish, so ended on a positive. I sometimes like being the underdog.

“When I play Solheim Cup in America and the crowd is cheering against you, I always prefer that. I don’t know why. I’ve just got to stay focused around here.”

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