Edenvale’s Buhai claims eighth Sunshine Tour title

Edenvale resident Ashleigh Buhai completed a commanding wire-to-wire victory to collect her eighth Sunshine Ladies Tour trophy on February 2.

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Buhai achieved a five-shot winning margin in the Joburg Ladies Open at Modderfontein Golf Club.

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Maintaining the good form that earned her second place in the season-opening Canon Ladies Tshwane Open a week before, South Africa’s leading international golfer made a flying start with a sparkling four-under-par 68 in the opening round on January 31.

Buhai racked up four birdies in her outward loop and moved to six-under with another pair of gains at the first and second holes.

But her three-shot lead dwindled to one with bogeys at seven and nine.

“My mind drifted a little and I three-putted from a short distance at seven, so I was a little annoyed about the bogey, but it’s golf, you just have to take it on the chin and move on,” she said.

Buhai attributed her first-round performance to accurate tee shots and a strong short game.

“I gave myself a lot of chances. The greens are immaculate and running so true. The birdies are out there if you put yourself in the right spots on the greens.”

Buhai began the second round of the tournament with a one-shot lead.

“Almost every hole down the back nine was into the wind and it was tricky, but overall I played steady and stayed patient. I made eight pars down the back nine and sometimes those are bigger than birdie putts, especially in conditions like these.”

Buhai’s total of eight-under 208 earned her the lion’s share of the R500 000 prize pot as well as 650 points to lift her to top spot in the Investec Property Fund Order of Merit.

The two-time Ladies European Tour champion is heading for Australia this week, and is delighted to be leaving with the title and a leg-up on the Order of Merit.

“I’m leaving this week to play the LPGA Tour in Australia, Thailand and Singapore, so I’ll be missing three events at home.

“It’s great to leave South Africa with a double whammy, because I set myself some pretty steep goals this week,” she said.

“I’m really pleased with this win. I had chances the first two years at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington, but I never made the most of my home course. It feels really good to add my name to the trophy. After all, I’m a Joburg girl, so it’s fitting that I should win this one at least once.”

Buhai enjoyed her best season on the LPGA tour last year, racking up a hat-trick of victories and walking away with the lion’s share of the Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies.

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