• by Tanya Gazdik , July 5, 2023

Lexus is adding to its roster of brand ambassadors with the signing of two up-and-coming female golfers. 

The automaker’s relationship with Japanese golfer Hinako Shibuno, 24, and U.S. golfer Amari Avery, 19, begins July 6 at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open Championship, held for the first time at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Lexus is a sponsor of the United States Golf Association, along with American Express, Cisco, Deloitte, Rolex and Sentry. 

Hinako and Amari are rising stars in the world of women’s golf, says Nicole Peterson, Lexus partnerships.

“As part of the Lexus golf champions program, both Hinako and Amari will be critical in introducing the Lexus brand to new audiences and young people around the world,” Peterson says in a release. 

Their addition comes at an appropriate time, given that Lexus is targeting a younger and more diverse demographic, according to Vinay Shahani, Lexus vice president of marketing.

Working with Lexus has been one of Shibuno’s lifelong dreams, she says.

“In fact, the first thing I bought with my professional winnings was a Lexus NX,” Shibuno says. 

Shibuno, who is currently 54th in the Rolex World Rankings, has her own YouTube channel where she shares behind-the-scenes stories of her life on the U.S. tour.

Avery also has made waves in the world of golf throughout her junior, amateur, and collegiate career. She recently reached as high as #5 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Partnering with Lexus was attractive because the brand has a long history of supporting the game of golf,  says Avery.

Born in Riverside, California and raised by her African-American father and Filipino mother, Avery proudly represents her diverse racial and ethnic heritage, per Lexus.

Gaining experience in the spotlight at an early age, Avery was one of eight junior golfers featured in the 2013 Netflix documentary, “The Short Game,” profiling her journey to the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship.