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. The South African powered into contention with a round of 65 on Friday and she followed it up with a display of controlled, confident golf. Ad/> Buhai began the day one adrift of the lead but as In Gee Chun faltered, she powered on to seize control of the final major of the year.

Golf'Protect your team' — Tiger urges Love III to shield Presidents Cup players from LIV drama3 HOURS AGO The 33-year-old has no form whatsoever at major championships, but she will begin the final day with a five-shot lead over Hinaki Shibuno and Chun. It can be difficult backing up standout rounds, but Buhai followed the blueprint from Friday by making her score on the front nine. Buhai made birdies on two, four, five, six and seven to make the turn in 31 strokes.

/> Further birdies came on 10 and 14, but the key was she kept things simple for the most part. She got out of position when going through the back of 17, but chipped in for a birdie to get to 15-under. /> The 18th played brutally tough — there were only two birdies all day — and after short-siding herself with her second, Buhai could not get up and down and carded the only bogey in a round of 64.

«It is great to play well on moving day,» Buhai told Sky Sports. «I tried to just stay focused on what I did the last two days, play within myself and do what I can control. Just keep my rhythm in the wind.» Chun played solid golf.

But on a day when Buhai made it look so simple, solid was not enough. She is five off the lead after a round of 70. Madelene Sagstrom looked like the player capable of pushing Buhai when draining a long putt for a birdie on the fourth.