FREED GROUP WOMEN'S SCOTTISH OPEN

August 3, 2023

Hinako Shibuno

Dundonald Links

Quick Quotes

Q. A fantastic round, will you tell me a little bit about what you did out there and what you were doing so well?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: It was really good overall. I putted well.

Q. As I understand it, you have got over your energy and your grip has changed and that obviously has made a very big difference. Just explain why.

HINAKO SHIBUNO: Well, you know, it's getting better. It's healing now, my fingers and my upper body was a little tight, but my sequence is getting better.

Q. How much links golf have you played and do you enjoy playing it? I assume, yes, after today.

HINAKO SHIBUNO: I can't say the course but I like Scotland.

Q. Eight birdies, four in a row, talk me through your thoughts?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: I surprised myself with the four birdies in a row.

Q. Is next week a motivation for you going into the last major of the year?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: Yes.

Q. What's been your favourite thing about Dundonald Links?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: The greens.

Q. Was it flat calm when you went out? When did the wind pick up?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: It was kind of blowing, not blowing. For me, I like playing in Scotland, the U.K.

Q. Last year you didn't make the cut but this year you started off so well. Is the course playing different?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: The course looks different for me, a little bit wider, I don't know.

Q. When you feel more confident, it looks good?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: Yeah.

Q. Now you've been battling some injury, and I know links are a little bit of a challenge, how relieving is a day like this, a 64 on a course like this?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: The ground is firm, firmer, than a normal course but if you hit low and solid, my finger is not getting hurt. So I'm just being relaxed and more thinking about sequence, the swing.

Q. Is this the best you've felt playing golf in a bit?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: Maybe yes.

Q. And is it because of injury or confidence?

HINAKO SHIBUNO: So it's not a hundred percent healed, and I don't have any big confidence, so maybe more calm in my head.

Maybe I'm putting pressure on myself.