Lexus is excited to announce that it has added Hinako Shibuno and Amari Avery to its roster of sponsored golf champions. Shibuno is a 24-year-old Japanese golfer, while Avery is a 19-year-old rising star in women’s golf. Their sponsorship will begin at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open Championship, which will be held at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Nicole Peterson, from Lexus Partnerships, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that both Shibuno and Avery are talented players who will help introduce the Lexus brand to new audiences and young people worldwide.

Shibuno, who has always dreamed of working with Lexus, shared her excitement for representing a luxury brand that she admires. She even purchased a Lexus NX with her professional earnings. Avery, on the other hand, is thrilled to be partnering with Lexus and sees the brand’s commitment to performance as inspiring for her amateur and future professional golf career.

Hinako Shibuno

Hinako Shibuno began playing golf in Okayama, Japan, at the age of 8. She turned professional in 2018 and quickly made a name for herself. In 2019, she became the youngest tournament champion at The World Ladies Salonpas Cup and won her second title at the Shiseido Anessa Ladies in her first-ever playoff.

In the same year, Shibuno made her debut at the AIG Women’s British Open and won her first major, becoming the second Japanese woman to achieve this feat since 1977. Her captivating smile earned her the nickname “Smiling Cinderella.” In 2020, she finished fourth at the U.S. Women’s Open and continued to excel in major tournaments.

Shibuno also runs her own YouTube channel, where she shares behind-the-scenes stories of her life on the US tour. She is also involved in organizing the “Hinako Shibuno Cup Okayama Softball Tournament” and giving back to her hometown of Okayama.

Shibuno is currently ranked 54th in the Rolex World Rankings.

Amari Avery

Amari Avery, at only 19 years old, has already made a name for herself in the world of golf. She has had success in her junior, amateur, and collegiate career, reaching as high as #5 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. She has participated in prestigious tournaments such as the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Open, showcasing her talent.

During her time at the University of Southern California, Avery has achieved four individual victories and shattered records in USC women’s golf history. She has received multiple honors and continues to impress with her dedication and skills on the course.

Avery’s diverse racial and ethnic background, with an African American father and Filipino mother, is an important aspect of her identity that she proudly represents. She gained early exposure through the 2013 Netflix documentary “The Short Game,” which featured her journey to the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship.

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