Women's Open 2022: Ashleigh Buhai makes triple bogey, recovers to beat In Gee Chun in play-off at Muirfield

Twenty years on from Ernie Els’ Open triumph at Muirfield, Ashleigh Buhai overcame an almighty wobble to follow her fellow South African into the winners’ circle with victory in the Women’s Open. Els secured victory in the ultimate test of a play-off, and it was fitting Buhai followed suit by getting the better of In Gee Chun after four extra holes. Ad/> Winning majors is difficult, unless you are peak Tiger Woods, and it was never going to be a cruise round Muirfield in windy conditions.

Wyndham Championship'Getting a little unhealthy' — Zalatoris splits from caddie in middle of tournament5 HOURS AGO Buhai built her lead — it stood at five shots overnight — on the back of confident, controlled golf. But an awful swing on the 15th tee resulted in a triple bogey and threw the tournament wide open. She made pars on 16, 17 and 18 — as did Chun — to take the final major of the year into extra holes for the first time since 1992.

The rules state the 18th is played continuously until a winner is found. At the fourth extra hole, it was Chun who faltered off the tee and Buhai held nerve to claim a maiden major title. “It is a lot of hard work, many years of dedication, and there are lots of South Africans at home with grey hair right now,” Buhai said at the presentation.

“I was surprisingly calm. I kept going through my steps and my thoughts, I just tried to stay in the moment. “It is so difficult to put into words what it means.

We are a small country so to produce multiple major champions is quite something. “To be a female, South African and a major winner, I have no words. It is life changing.” 'Over the moon' — Shinkwin cruises to victory as rivals wilt in the sun at Celtic Manor 'Getting a little unhealthy' — Zalatoris