LPGA Q-SERIES

December 1, 2021

Hinako Shibuno

Magnolia Grove

Quick Quotes

Q. Welcome to Alabama.

HINAKO SHIBUNO: Thank you.

Q. What are your thoughts on these two golf courses? It's going to be a big task this week.

HINAKO SHIBUNO: It's so much harder than Japanese courses.

Q. Really. What makes it harder?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: Around the greens and roughs and all the (indiscernible). Yeah.

Q. How much of a challenge then will it be for you to get through this week and next week?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: I have to be in a good position this week like to go through next week.

Q. What is that, the mental knowing this week you're here, next week is not guaranteed, and so much is on the line?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: I'm having fun; I'm enjoying.

Q. Good. I know this is maybe later than you had wanted after your AIG win and then COVID changing plans. What have the last two years been like for you as you worked hard to get back here?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: I never regret that I didn't sign up for the membership when I was won the AIG, but this is my -- the best experience I've ever had, so it's going to be a good week.

Q. Yes. Do you feel you've learned a lot about yourself as a human, as a player, since your AIG win and playing on the JLPGA and everything you've done since with the LPGA?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: (No oral response.)

Q. That was a no.

HINAKO SHIBUNO: You can tell.

Q. Yes. So you're still the same Hinako? Has your game changed? What have you worked on?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: I changed my swing a little bit from AIG, but I'm still thinking about the management of the golf course, and it's getting better, yep.

Q. Okay. Getting to the LPGA tour, has this been a goal of yours for a while?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: Yeah, I'm aiming that I have to get the membership, but I cannot -- this is not the goal. This will be the starting point for me.

Q. So what is your goal then?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: I got to win one more major.

Q. I heard major in there. (Laughing.) So you have a Women's Open, Women's British Open. What is the next one you would like to win?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: U.S. Open.

Q. Have you been to Pine Needles where it is this year or next year?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: No, never.

Q. No? How about the year after, Pebble Beach?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: No. Never been and never seen.

Q. Never been and never seen?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: Yes. I would love to go.

Q. But you played Olympic Club this year.

HINAKO SHIBUNO: Yeah.

Q. What was that experience like for you? That's a big event.

HINAKO SHIBUNO: The rough was very long, yeah.

Q. Very long.

HINAKO SHIBUNO: It was tough, yeah.

Q. Last question: You're here this week in Alabama; focus is the membership. How do you hope to manage yourself this week and next week? It's a lot of golf.

HINAKO SHIBUNO: My target is I'm not getting mad at one missed shot or something. Yeah, I will be decent and smooth.

Q. I like that. Good luck.

HINAKO SHIBUNO: Yep.

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