Women’s Open 2022 R4

August 04-07
Muirfield, East Lothian, Scotland
$7,300,000
Round 1, Round 2, Round 3

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Ashleigh Buhai held off three-time major champion In Gee Chun in a four-hole, sudden-death playoff to win her first major at the AIG Women's Open and becomes the first woman to win at Muirfield.

Women’s Open 2022 R4

“In Gee is a major champion, and I knew I had to go out and win it. I mean, 18 played so tough the whole week, so it was going to be a grind and then it started to get cold and windier,” said the South African. “I was just very proud of how I managed to stay focused on myself and try to do what I needed to do.”

Women’s Open 2022 R4

Buhai became the second women’s major winner from South Africa following Sally Little (1980 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, 1988 du Maurier Classic). Seven of her countrymen have also won major titles, including Gary Player and Ernie Els, who won at Muirfield in 1959 and 2002, respectively. Buhai is the 44th player to become a Rolex First-Time Winner at a major championship.

“I turned pro when I was 18. I was kind of expected, there was a lot of things expected of me. I won straight off the bat on the Ladies European Tour. But this game has a way of giving you a hard time. I'm just so proud of how I've stuck it out. I have said the last four or five years, I've finally started to find my feet on the LPGA and felt I could compete, and although I'm 33 now, I feel I'm playing the best golf of my career. It's been a long journey, but man, it's all worth it right now.”

Women’s Open 2022 R4

Buhai started the day with a five-stroke lead at 14-under and still held a three-stroke lead at 13-under at the turn.

But at the 15th, she found a fairway bunker off the tee and hit out sideways, needing two shots get out of the deep rough leading to a triple-bogey 7 and dropped into a tie with Chun at 10-under.

“It's probably the worst swing I made all week. Was a little quick on the top. But if I had half a lie in that bunker, a plug off the drive, I could have got it out the other way in the fairway. Obviously compounded the mistake,” said Buhai. “I didn't panic, which I thought was huge, and just tried to make a good swing on the next and just try to make good swings coming in to give myself a chance.”

She had a chance for birdie at the 17th to regain the lead but her putt hit the right edge of the cup and ricocheted out, leaving her to par. She closed with a 75 to reach 10-under while Chun carded a 70.

“I think I did what I can do,” said Chun. “Ashleigh made a great up-and-down on 18. Almost close, but still, I don't want to give up and I just want to look for another tournament, another day.”

Japan's Hinako Shibuno finished in solo third place at 9-under after a final round 71.

Ireland's Leona Maguire's 66 gave her a share of fourth place at 7-under alongside Australia's Minjee Lee (69) and Sweden's Madelene Sagstrom (71).

Women’s Open 2022 R4