South African Ashleigh Buhai took a firm grip on the Women’s British Open on Saturday with a formidable third spherical 64 at Muirfield to go away her dreaming of emulating childhood hero Ernie Els.
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On 14-under par, Buhai led by 5 photographs from midway chief Chun In-gee (70) and Japan’s Hinako Shibuno (66). Park In-bee and Madelene Sagstrom have been tied for fourth on seven underneath.
The 33-year-old Buhai has by no means scaled the identical heights as knowledgeable as she did as a teenage phenomenon.
Known then as Ashleigh Simon, she gained the primary of three South African Amateur Championships on the tender age of 14.
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She has gained 3 times on the Ladies’ European Tour and has two South African Women’s Opens, however remains to be ready for the breakthrough on the LPGA Tour.
One behind Chun at midway after rounds of 70 and 65, she was in impressed kind within the brutal cool and windy situations.
She made eight birdies and, for the second day in a row, her solely dropped shot got here on the 18th.
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“I think it is my best ever round,” mentioned a delighted Ashleigh Buhai.
“I believe it’s going to be one other robust day tomorrow however, hopefully, the lead will probably be ok.
“But, in these situations, something can occur however I like hyperlinks golf. This has at all times been my favorite match of the yr. I performed nice all day. Hit it shut and the chip in for birdie at 17 was a bonus.
“My poorest shot was the five wood second at 18 that led to a bogey. But I’ll take it.”
Els gained the 2002 Open at Muirfield, and it could be a dream fulfilled for Buhai to observe in his footsteps.
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“I love Ernie,” she mentioned.
“He was the player I looked up to when I was young and it had crossed my mind that it would make it extra special to win here. Now we both live in Florida, which is fun.”
Shibuno led after a primary spherical 65 and is delighted to have the prospect of enjoying with Ashleigh Buhai within the remaining spherical.
(*18*) mentioned the participant who lifted the title at Woburn in 2019 when Buhai completed fifth.
Chun by no means fairly discovered the very important spark, however three birdies saved her within the hunt for a second main of the season to set alongside the Women’s PGA Championship.
Park performed with Buhai and the seven-time main champion was mightily impressed. But the Korean has not given up hope of a second British Open.
“The weather was even worse when I won at Turnberry (in 2015) and I shot seven under in the last round,” she recalled.
“I’ll want one other spherical like that tomorrow.
“Ashleigh has a huge lead and played exceptionally today, but anything can happen. Three or four shots can slip away in a few holes.”
American Rose Zhang was the one newbie to survive the lower and the Cutis Cup star shot a formidable 70 to stand on one underneath par.
The 19-year-old is about to decide up the newbie award, the Smyth Salver.
Leading third spherical scores within the Women’s British Open at Muirfield on Saturday (USA until acknowledged, Par 71):
199 – Ashleigh Buhai (RSA) 70-65-64
204 – Hinako Shibuno (JPN) 65-73-66, Chun In-gee (KOR) 68-66-70
206 – Park In-bee (KOR) 69-67-70, Madelene Sagstroem (SWE) 70-65-71
208 – Min-Jee Lee (AUS) 68-70-70, Stephanie Kyriacou (AUS) 70-68-70, Miyu Yamashita (JPN) 69-68-71
209 – Atthaya Thitikul (THA) 71-69-69, Maja Stark (SWE) 68-71-70, Brooke Henderson (CAN) 70-70-69, Kim Hyo-joo (KOR) 73-66-70, Choi Hye-jin (KOR) 69-70-70, Park Sung-hyun (KOR) 72-69-68
210 – Charley Hull (ENG) 71-70-69, Alison Lee 74-69-67, Ji Eun-hee (KOR) 70-72-68, Kim A-lim (KOR) 70-71-69
211 – Lydia Ko (NZL) 71-70-70, Nasa Hataoka (JPN) 71-69-71, Kim Sei-young (KOR) 74-70-67, Lee Jeon-geun (KOR) 71-68-72, Leona Maguire (IRL) 71-69-71, Jodi Ewart (ENG) 68-73-70, Andrea Lee 72-67-72, Marina Alex 70-69-72, Hannah Green (AUS) 71-66-74, Melissa Reid (ENG) 73-68-70
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
