Muirfield, Scotland: Japan’s Hinako Shibuno hopes history can repeat itself when she bids for her second AIG Women’s Open on Sunday.
In 2019, Shibuno claimed her maiden Major title when she topped the leaderboard at Woburn, ahead of South African Ashleigh Buhai.
Heading into the final-round at Muirfield, Shibuno is in joint second place with Korean Chun In-gee on nine-under 204. They trail pace-setting Buhai by five strokes. But with tricky winds persisting, the Asian duo maintain hopes of pulling off a last-day heist.
Shibuno posted a 66 on day three, helped by four birdies on her back nine, while overnight leader Chun signed for a 70 to maintain her bid for a fourth Major success.
“I was in the final group with Ashleigh in 2019. I’m very happy to play with her again, but I want to win,” said Shibuno, who enjoyed herself in the breezy conditions. “I could be friends with the wind! I’m having fun. My distance control was very good and so was my putting,” she added.
Despite the deficit she faces, Chun is also remaining positive. “It was not easy and it was a bit windy out there, but I think my game was really good today,” she said, following round three.
“I don’t have much experience of playing links course. But I’ve really enjoyed playing golf here. I made a lot of good putts – and hopefully they will drop tomorrow,” she added.
Buhai produced the lowest round of the week and is on course for her first Major title after a superb seven-under 64 for a 14-under total of 199 – the second lowest 54-hole score in championship history.
The 33-year-old has three Ladies’ European Tour victories to her name but her best finish in a Major came in this championship in 2019 when she finished fifth after leading through 36 holes.
Buhai is now targeting her biggest win in the sport after notching six birdies in her opening 10 holes to move clear of the field in East Lothian. She even chipped in for another birdie from the back of the green at the 17th before her only bogey of the day at the 18th.
Buhai’s efforts were all the more impressive given the afternoon scoring averaged two strokes higher in the windier conditions.
Korean veteran Park In-bee and Swede Madelene Sagstrom are joint fourth on seven-under.
The world number one ranked amateur Rose Zhang, who is set to win the Smyth Salver as the leading amateur making the cut, is tied for 29th after a 70 for a one-under-par total.
With Muirfield hosting the Championship for the first time, it proved a special morning for home club member Lindsey Garden. The former Scottish international enjoyed the honour of playing alongside Wales’ Lydia Hall as a marker in the first group out.