If you have no idea who Ashleigh Buhai is, you’re not alone.
The South African LPGA player hasn’t had a top 10 this season, she’s ranked 123rd in the world but she’s in the news now after her seven-under par 65 put her at the top of the first round leaderboard at the Women’s British Open.
Buhai, who finished tied for 37th last week at the Evian, has missed six cuts in 17 events this season and has never won on the LPGA Tour. She does have three wins on the Ladies European Tour, however. She put together eight birdies Thursday at the Woburn Golf Club and posted a seven-under par 65.
It will be difficult for Buhai to stay up there considering the quality of the players close to her. World’s No. 1 Jin Young Ko is just three shots back and is looking to chalk up three major victories in one season. No. 2 Sung Hyun Park was just two shots back, in a group at 67 that included hometown favorite Charley Hull, who is playing in front of family and friends on her home course.
Buhai was happy to see the first round conditions where there was no wind and a soft, receptive golf course.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), I played in the practice round and the wind was like 20 miles per hour and I was like, ‘whoa, this is brutal,’” Buhai said. “But then today was perfect golfing conditions. Everything you wanted – soft greens, hardly in the wind and you could throw it at the pin. In my last few tournaments I’ve had three good rounds and one not so good round, so I’m hoping this is the week I can do four good rounds.”
For Hull, the expectations are high but she’s handling the pressure.
“It puts a bit of pressure on me, but I played quite well today,” she said. “It’s quite tricky because I know where not to miss it. I’ve hit shots around here, and you just don’t want to think of them because obviously it’s my home golf course.”
Defending champion Georgia Hall posted an opening 69.
American Lexi Thompson’s 71 left her tied for 32nd after day one of the season’s final major.
