News Release

Contract of Affiliation Signed with Professional Golfer Hinako Shibuno

From February 2020, Suntory Holdings Limited is to conclude a contract of affiliation with professional golfer Hinako Shibuno.

Suntory is pursuing various approaches in the fields of arts, culture, and academia, sports, and social welfare, in order to realize a society of true abundance. In the sports field, we are actively involved in corporate sports and sports promotional activities and events. We have been involved in golf promotion from early on in particular, such as Ai Miyazato Suntory Ladies Open professional golf tournament, to be held for the 30th time this year.

As part of these activities, this contract indicates our support for Hinako Shibuno’s character and attitude toward golf, and our intention to provide further support based on the conviction of her continuing success.

Hinako Shibuno became a professional golfer in July 2018. Her first win at a major tournament in Japan came in May 2019, followed by another victory in her first appearance at the overseas AIG Women’s British Open in August. She is only the second Japanese player to win a major overseas tournament and the first in 42 years. She was ranked second in women’s winnings in Japan for 2019 and selected as the LPGA Mercedes-Benz Player of the Year, an award given to the tour player of the year for the LPGA of Japan.

〈Hinako Shibuno’s comment〉
I am really honored to have Suntory, one of Japan's leading global companies, provide support in the form of an affiliation contract. Suntory has been running golf tournaments for over 30 years and has been deeply involved in developing junior golfers, and I am very sympathetic. I will continue to strive to be a player who can bring dreams and smiles to many children through golf.

▼ Profile
Hinako Shibuno
Hometown: Okayama City, Okayama
Date of birth: November 15, 1998
Turned pro: July 2018

〈Career history〉
【Major Japan Tour wins in 2019】
・World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup
・Shiseido Anessa Ladies Open
・Descente Ladies Tokai Classic
・Daio Paper Elleair Ladies Open

【Major Overseas Tour wins in 2019】
・AIG Women’s British Open

【Ranking etc】
・2019 annual prize money ranking: 2nd place
・2019 Mercedes ranking: 1st place　“LPGA Mercedes-Benz Player of the Year”