'Assassin' Hinako Shibuno has Women's Scottish Open title in sights after flying start at Dundonald Links

Starting at the tenth on the Kyle Phillips-designed course, Shibuno opened with a birdie before reeling off four on the trot from the 13th. Another burst produced a hat-trick of gains from the sixth on her inward journey.

“It was really good overall and I putted well,” said Shibuno of her day’s work, which earned her a two-shot lead over Swede Madelene Sagstrom, with American Caroline Inglis, Dane Nicole Broch Estrup and Swede Caroline Hedwall two further back in a share of third spot.

Frenchwoman Celine Boutier, last year’s runner-up and the game’s newest major champion after winning the Evian Championship last weekend, sits in a group on three-under along with Swede Linn Grant, the 2022 LET No 1.

In an event won by compatriot Ayaka Furue, Shibuno missed the cut 12 months ago following scores of 71-75. “The course looks different - a little wider,” she said, probably thinking it but omitting to add that it is also visually stunning at the moment.

Shibuno earned her ‘Smiling Cinderella’ nickname when she pulled off a stunning success in the 2019 AIG Women’s Open at Woburn. “Nobody really calls me that anymore,” she said, smiling, of course.” Does she have a new one? “Yes,” she replied. “Lydia Ko called me the ‘Assassin’ once, which I like better than ‘Smiling Cinderella’.”

Though sitting 61st in the world rankings and going close again in the AIG Women’ Open when finishing third at Muirfield last year, Shibuno hasn’t won since Woburn. “Yes it can,” she said of it being difficult living with the expectation of a major winner. “Maybe I’m putting pressure on myself.”