Buhai closes in on back-to-back Australian Open crowns
Darren Walton |
Ashleigh Buhai is closing in on back-to-back Women’s Australian Open crowns after extending her lead to four shots midway through the final round in Sydney.
Former world No.1 Jiyai Shin briefly cut Buhai’s three-stroke overnight advantage to one shot with two birdies in her first three holes at The Australian Golf Club on Sunday.
But nine straight pars from Buhai were enough for the South African to remain in control after Shin dropped three shots before the turn.
Australian star Minjee Lee surged to join Shin at eight-under through nine holes of the final round to be tied for second in pursuit of a first national championship.
After starting the day seven shots adrift of Buhai, Lee collected birdies at the first, second, fifth, eighth and ninth holes to raise hopes of a drought-breaking home triumph.
The legendary Karrie Webb is the only Australian to win the women’s Open in the past 25 years, and last reigned in 2014.
Lee, though, still must reel in the unflappable Buhai.
The South African has only recorded two bogeys all tournament and had gone 27 holes since Friday afternoon without dropping a shot.
Lee said pre-round she would draw on memories of one of her greatest triumphs when she set out in pursuit of Buhai.
The dual major winner knew she would need to emulate her recovery mission at the 2021 Evian Championship in France, where the Perth prodigy fought back from seven shots down entering the final round.
“I’ll just have to post a really low score, but I think I can do it,” she said.
“I’m going to do my very best, like I always do.”
AAP
