Women’s Open 2022: Ashleigh Buhai tames Muirfield to take five-shot lead over Hinaki Shibuno and In Gee Chun

Ashleigh Buhai seized control of the Women’s Open with a brilliant third round at Muirfield.

Buhai started day one with In Gee Chun as the lead. However, Buhai continued to dominate the final major of this year.

Golf

‘You can never be comfortable in a major’ – Buhai not complacent despite big lead

7 HOURS AGO

The 33-year old has lost all form at major championships but will start the final day with a five shot lead over Hinaki Shibuno, Chun and Chun.

It can be difficult to back up standout rounds but Buhai kept the plan from Friday and scored on the front nine.

Buhai made birdies at number 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 6 and 7 to complete the turn in 31 strokes.

Additional birdies were also recorded on 10, and 14, but it was clear that she kept things simple for most of the time.

She lost position in the back 17, but managed to make a birdie to reach 15-under.

The 18th was brutally difficult. There were only two birdies throughout the day. Buhai couldn’t get up or down after short-siding with her second. She then carded the course record for a bogey in round 64.

Buhai stated that it is great to perform well on moving days. “I tried not to lose sight of what I had done the previous two days. I just tried to stay focused and play within myself. I do what I can control. Keep my rhythm in tune with the wind.

Depending on which stats you want to hold, history is either in Buhai’s favor or against Buhai.

Chun played solid golf. However, on a day Buhai made it seem so easy, solid wasn’t enough. After a round 70, she is now five behind the leader.

Madelene Sagstrom looked like Buhai’s player when she hit a long shot for a birdie.

The Swede did find more bunkers than she expected in round 71.

Third Round Leaderboard

• 1. Ashleigh Buhai, 14-under
• T2. Hinaki Shibuno, nine-under
• T2. In Gee Chun, nine-under
• T4. T4.
• T4. Madelene Sagstrom, seven-under
• T6. Miyuu Yamashita, five-under
• T6. Minjee Lee, five-under
• T6. Steph Kyriacou, five-under

The 2019 Women’s Open champion, Shibuno bounced back from a 73 on Friday to surge into contention with a round of 66 and will be in the final group alongside Buhai on Sunday.

Charley Hull, England’s flag flyer, went around in 69 to get to three under. But it was probably too far back for a Sunday challenge.

Hull isn’t giving up, even though he is 11 behind Buhai

“Anything can happen,” Hull said. “Never forget the first professional event I won, I was 17, and I shot 9-under in the final round to get into the playoff and I won, so you never know.”

Brooke Henderson, the Evian Championship winner, made three birdies in a round that was 69 to reach four-under with teenage sensation Atthaya Thitikul.

Nelly Korda made it to the weekend with a birdie on her first hole. But she lost it on the second hole and was beaten by three bogeys on her back nine. She became the world No. 3 fell to three-over.

Korda’s sister Jessica also struggled in round three, and a 73 took her outside the top 30 at even par.