Matching one another for par, bogey, par, the pair couldn’t be separated after three rounds of the 18th gap, but the breakthrough got here on the fourth time of asking when Chun drove her tee shot right into a bunker.
It makes Buhai the primary South African to win the occasion since Alison Sheard in 1979 and ends a 34-year look forward to the nation’s subsequent ladies’s main champion after Sally Little’s victory on the du Maurier Traditional in 1988.
Taking part in host to ladies golfers for the primary time, Muirfield already held particular significance for the South African males’s recreation because the stage of first Open wins for legendary duo Gary Participant and Ernie Els in 1959 and 2002, respectively.
“It is an enormous honor to have extra South African success right here,” Buhai informed reporters.
“To observe these two greats [Els and Player], two of my idols rising up, and for us to play right here for the primary time at Muirfield, making historical past, I am very, very honored and really, very proud to be South African proper now.
“I am somewhat overwhelmed to be sincere. I am making an attempt to take a breath, however it’s clearly implausible to win this championship … it is a dream come true,” she added.
‘It has been a protracted journey’
The South African has gained thrice on the Girls European Tour — together with an early win on the Catalonia Girls Masters — however after a fifth-place end on the 2019 Open in Woburn had marked her finest profession efficiency at a significant, Muirfield represents an unprecedented new peak.
“It has been a protracted journey,” Buhai stated.
“I turned professional once I was 18, there have been lots of issues anticipated of me. I gained straight off the bat on the Girls European Tour, however this recreation has a method of supplying you with a tough time.
“I am simply so happy with how I’ve caught it out. I’ve stated, the final 4 or 5 years, I’ve lastly began to search out my toes on the LPGA and felt I may compete, and though I am 33 now, I really feel I am taking part in one of the best golf of my profession.
“It has been a protracted journey, however man, it is all price it proper now.”
Buhai’s first main win was a becoming encapsulation of that journey. After roaring right into a commanding lead by taking pictures 70, 65, 64 throughout the primary three rounds on the par-71 course, the South African sliding in direction of an agonizing collapse on the shut.
After sinking eight birdies Saturday, Buhai made only one all through the whole thing of the ultimate spherical, as her four-over 75 opened the door for Chun to reel her in with a one-under 70.
“I am at all times pleased to complete in a great place,” Chun informed reporters. “I felt like I had an important season, and I’ve extra tournaments coming sooner or later.
“I feel now I’ve lots of confidence I can play nicely at hyperlinks programs.”
Regardless of an eagle on the fifth gap, Japan’s Hinako Shibuno missed out on making the playoff by a stroke after carding an even-71.