Women’s Open champ: ‘People forget huge moment before historic win’

As the light faded on Muirfield, few could have predicted the end to the 2022 AIG Women’s Open.

Following a course-record 64 on Saturday, Ashleigh Buhai sailed into a five-shot lead in the final major of the women’s season.

Muirfield was hosting the women’s championship for the first time in its history, while the South African was chasing her first major title.

The last eight players to have held at least a three-shot lead heading into the final round of an AIG Women’s Open had won. But after 15 holes, Buhai was in danger of bursting the trend.

A three-shot advantage was wiped out by a triple bogey seven, sucking In Gee Chun and Hinako Shibuno into the drama.

Shibuno fell one short of Chun in the end, paving the way for Buhai to seal a triumph on 18. One missed birdie putt later and Buhai faced a nerve-shredder just to force a play-off.

It was converted and the pair went into a sudden-death shootout on the final hole, where Buhai eventually prevailed at the third attempt.

But the 35-year-old insists people ‘forget’ about the one crucial moment that teed up victory.

“The nerves heading into the play-off were okay,” she told bunkered.co.uk. “That whole week I did my job well, stayed in the present, and that’s why I managed to play such good golf.

“People talk about the play-off, but I had to hole a six-footer [on 18], which people forget about, so that was a huge moment which settled my nerves.

“And I played 18 really well that whole week, it suited me, wind off the right, I fade the ball, so although it was a very tough hole, I felt pretty comfortable on it.”

The historic nature of the win is not lost on Buhai. Neither are the conditions or the unforgettable route to lifting Britain’s sole women’s major.

• Charley Hull adamant for Turnberry to host women’s event

• Esther Henseleit: I can’t ‘rely’ on dream Solheim Cup pick

“The whole week was amazing,” she recalled. “Muirfield is an unbelievable golf course and one of the best and it was a first for women’s golf for us to be playing there.

“Then, for me, to win in the fashion that I did, having the lead, losing it and then to grind it out and win it in the dark made it extra special.”

For Buhai, who grew up in Johannesburg, the AIG Women’s Open was always the major she was most desperate to win.

And with the pressures of defending the title lifted, Buhai believes she is in a better place to grab major number two at St Andrews next week.

“I’m in a completely different state of mind when I step up to that tournament, or any tournament, now, especially coming over here,” she said.

“Last year it was difficult going back to defend, there’s a lot of responsibilities. It’s a long week and a lot to manage but I’m hoping this year that it’ll be a little quieter and I can focus more on the golf.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.