WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA | They are the kinds of words that bring a tear to the eye of local chamber of commerce executives. When asked about the historic town on the James River just a hop, skip and barely a jump from Kingsmill Resort, 2019 AIG Women’s Open champion Hinako Shibuno said, “Colonial Williamsburg is a lovely place, one of those towns I would love to live in after my retirement. It is very quiet here. I love a beautiful view of areas.”

The Japanese star is not alone. On the putting green on Wednesday, a slew of players reiterated their love of the Kingsmill Resort and surrounding area, especially after the cancelation of the event in 2020 due to the pandemic. “This is always one of those places that you love to come to because it’s so beautiful and relaxed,” Jaye Marie Green said.

Like a lot of players in the field, Green has been to Kingsmill a lot. But this is Shibuno’s first trip to the part of America where the English settlers first landed in 1607 (the actual spot is now the par-3 17th tee of the River Course at Kingsmill). She visited Williamsburg on Tuesday, touring the quaint cobblestone streets abut the College of William and Mary. Given that she doesn’t yet speak English, Shibuno might find it hard to order dinner downtown. But her feelings were genuine, as was her immediate admiration for the golf course hosting the Pure Silk Championship.

“It is really pretty course but it’s also a tough course,” Shibuno said. “With narrow aiming spots on every shot, lots of water hazards, and firm greens, I think I need to be a lot more accurate to be on the top of the leaderboard.”

Relaxing against the lapping shores of the James is a nice perk but being on top of the leaderboard is a priority for Shibuno, who is focusing the rest of her 2021 season on two goals: competing in the Olympic Games in her home country and earning full-time membership on the LPGA Tour. Part of that is making her world very small and focusing on the next four days at Kingsmill Resort.

“I understand that I need to earn CME points to get full LPGA Tour membership but the most important thing for me right now is to compete (here) for the next four days through the weekend,” Shibuno said. “I am focusing on what I need to work on in my game.

“My game is getting better each and every day so I’m just going to keep working on my swing and get ready for another major (the U.S. Women’s Open) in two weeks. I just get more great experience every week that I compete on the LPGA Tour around the world.”

Shibuno continues that quest at 9:05 a.m. on Thursday as she tees off No. 1 on the River Course with Laetitia Beck and Clariss Guce.

SHIBUNO LOVES VIRGINIA BUT REMAINS FOCUSED ON HER GAME

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