Ashleigh Buhai got herself back in the lead on Saturday with a bogey-free third round of three-under 69 in the LPGA Tour’s BMW Ladies Championship at Seowon Valley Country Club in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
Two birdies on the front nine on a second day off difficult winds set her up nicely, and then a final gain with a birdie on the 17th put her in a share of the lead with Minjee Lee of Australia at 12-under-par. They were one ahead of former world number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand and America’s Alison Lee.
“I think me playing my game and staying patient and not getting lost in where I am, I think that’s important,” said Buhai. “I think at one point I was two back, but I just told myself to stick to my process and my game. And then I finally made a birdie on 17.”
Buhai is on her way back after five weeks off to help ease an ongoing back problem, and her opening 62 laid down a marker as to what the other players could expect from her when she is able to fire all her skills with a degree of physical freedom.
“I’m happy with the way I played,” said the reigning South Africa Women’s Open champion. “I stayed very patient out there. I think I managed the wind a little better. It wasn’t as tricky as yesterday, but it still gusted. But I think yesterday kind of helped us figure it out. But bogey-free, you’ve always got to be happy with that.”
Buhai will sleep on the lead in the full knowledge that there is plenty of work to be done, especially with the quality of the players in pursuit. In addition to her co-leader, and the two players one behind them, the excellent Celine Boutier of France is in a share of fifth with Lauren Coughlin of the United States on 10-under.
“Don’t push,” said Buhai about her plan for the final round. “Just stay patient, play my game. I can control my swing thoughts, and that’s all I can try to do. Goal is go make birdies out there, and maybe it doesn’t quite go my way or it could go my way. But I just know not to chase or push, I think, from past experience.”
