British Open champion Hinako Shibuno received player of the year and three other awards on Wednesday from the Ladies Professional Golfers' Association of Japan.
The 21-year-old golfer was presented with the LPGA Mercedes-Benz Player of the Year award at a ceremony in Tokyo, although she lost the money title to Ai Suzuki, 25. Shibuno dominated the Mercedes ranking, which is based on such factors as the points a golfer earned for their final place at each tournament and the number of rounds played.
Shibuno filled domestic golf headlines this year, particularly after capturing the Women's British Open in her major debut in August, becoming the first Japanese to win a major in 42 years. She also won four domestic tours this season.
The star is known for making distinctive comments. Asked to summarize her successful year in one phrase, she wrote down on a large card, "I could write a book."
Shibuno won her first tournament in her domestic major debut in May. At the end of her post-tournament press conference, she referred to the change in the era name at the start of that month.
"It hasn't really hit home that the era name has changed to Reiwa," she said, somewhat nervously. "However, this is the first [domestic] major victory by a Japanese golfer in a while. Am I the right person to have the honor?"
These remarks were also chosen as the best comment of the year on Wednesday.
When she made her stunning achievement in Britain, she said: "Why on earth did I win the title?"
Nonetheless, Shibuno now seems aware that she has become a leading figure in domestic golf.
"I did better than expected this year," she said. "I'll set a much higher goal from the beginning of next year. I'll work hard to win consecutive player of the year awards."
An honor award presented to golfers who set records went to Shin Jiyai of South Korea, 31, who became the first person in the history of the Japan tour to have a one-season stroke average in the 60s. The other recipient was Nasa Hataoka, who became the youngest golfer to win a fourth domestic major title, at 20 years and 266 days old.
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