Ashleigh Buhai beat off strong competition from Hyo Joo Kim to earn her fourth worldwide victory in 10 months at the LPGA Classic.
The 34-year-old South African closed with a final round 65 to finish on 14 under to clinch her second LPGA Tour triumph following her success at the 2022 AIG Women’s British Open at Muirfield.
After sinking at birdie on the 18th, Buhai had to experience a nervous wait to see whether Kim could match her score. Despite hitting a birdie on the 17th, Kim required an eagle putt on the 18th to force play-off but could only manage another birdie, hitting a 68.
This victory mean that Buhai, aged 34 years and 11 months, has now become the oldest winner on the LPGA Tout this season.
“It’s definitely the best golf I’ve ever played in my career,” Buhai said. “I think between everything I’m doing between my putting, working with a putting coach, my swing coach and the mental side, when I put them all together I know that I can compete and have a chance to win.”
Buhai also becomes only the second South African to secure multiple wins on the LPGA Tour joining Sally Little with 15.
China’s Yan Liu hit a final round 67 to finish in third on 11 under while Denmark’s Nann Koerstz Madsen finished in fourth alongside Dani Holmqvist of Sweden on 10 under.
The next event on the LPGA Tour is the Meijer LPGA Classic between June 15-18 taking place at the Blythefield Country Club in Michigan.