October 8th, 2024

Buhai takes lead into final round of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship

By The Associated Press on September 28, 2024.

ROGERS, Ark. (AP) – Ashleigh Buhai birdied four of the final five holes for a 4-under 67 and a one-stroke lead over Dottie Ardina on Saturday in the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.

Playing in tricky afternoon wind conditions, Buhai rebounded from a double bogey on the par-4 eighth with birdies on the par-4 ninth and par-3 11th. The 35-year-old South African player bogeyed the par-4 13th, then closed with birdies on the par-5 14th, par-3 15th and 17th and par-5 18th.

“I did start to get a little frustrated, but I was hitting a lot of good shots,” Buhai said. “Made a silly double bogey, but at least I kept calm and just reminded myself to keep doing what I was doing, and finally got rewarded down the last few holes.”

Buhai had an 11-under 131 total at Pinnacle Country Club after opening with a 64. She won the 2022 Women’s British Open for her first LPGA Tour title and took the ShopRite LPGA Classic last year.

“Tonight, just don’t think about it basically,” Buhai said. “Obviously, easier said than done.”

Ardina, from the Philippines, holed out from 110 yards for eagle on the par-4 fifth in a 67. She’s winless on the LPGA Tour.

“Never been in this position,” Ardina said. “I’m looking forward for a strong finish tomorrow.”

Former University of Arkansas player Gaby Lopez (67) was two strokes back at 9 under with Japan’s Nasa Hataoka (66) and Thai players Arpichaya Yubol (65) and Pajaree Anannarukarn (67).

Lopez, a three-time LPGA Tour winner from Mexico, had a triple bogey on the 14th hole on her first nine, then finished the round with a bogey on No. 9. She also had eight birdies.

“It’s probably the best mental round that I’ve had,” Lopez said. “You know, after having a triple bogey, it’s so easy to kind of just lose yourself and lose patience.”

First-round leader Jasmine Suwannapura followed her opening 63 with a 72, making a double bogey on No. 14. She was tied for 15th at 7 under.

Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., is the top Canadian. She’s tied for 48th at 4 under. Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont., is tied for 62nd at 2 under. Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., is tied for 78th at 1 under.

Former Arkansas star Maria Fassi and current Razorbacks player Maria Marin also were 7 under, playing together the first two days. Fassi, the Mexican player who capped her college career with the 2019 NCAA individual title, shot 71. Marin, from Colombia, had a 71.

“This is an experience I’m going to remember my whole live, my debut and playing with Maria,” Marin said.

Victorious Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis, yet another former Arkansas player, was 3 under after a 70. She won the 2014 event.

Lilia Vu, the No. 2 player in the women’s world ranking, made the cut on the number at 2 under with a 69. Defending champion Haeran Ryu missed the cut by a stroke after a 72.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

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