In the heart of Arkansas, a thrilling golf tournament unfolded as Ashleigh Buhai took the lead with a stunning 4-under 67 performance. The 35-year-old South African golfer demonstrated remarkable resilience, bouncing back from a double bogey on the eighth hole to birdie four of the final five holes.
Playing in challenging wind conditions, Buhai’s determination paid off with birdies on the ninth, 11th, 14th, 15th, and 17th holes. Her total score of 11-under 131 at Pinnacle Country Club secured her position ahead of Dottie Ardina, who trailed by a single stroke.
Ardina, hailing from the Philippines, made a remarkable eagle on the fifth hole, holing out from 110 yards. Despite being winless on the tour, she remains optimistic about her chances.
Gaby Lopez, a former University of Arkansas player, finished two strokes behind Buhai, tied with Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and Thai players Arpichaya Yubol and Pajaree Anannarukarn. Lopez’s impressive mental toughness helped her recover from a triple bogey on the 14th hole, finishing with eight birdies.
First-round leader Jasmine Suwannapura struggled with a double bogey on the 14th hole, ultimately finishing tied for 15th at 7 under. Meanwhile, former Arkansas star Maria Fassi and current Razorbacks player Maria Marin also finished at 7 under, with Fassi shooting 71 and Marin 71.
Victorious Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis, another former Arkansas player, finished 3 under after a 70. Lilia Vu, the world’s second-ranked golfer, barely made the cut with a 69, while defending champion Haeran Ryu missed the cut by a single stroke.
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