Ashleigh Buhai and Casandra Alexander had matching closing five-over-par 75s on Sunday to round off their campaigns in the US Women’s Open Championship at Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
On a day on which the set-up showed true US Open characteristics, not many players escaped unscathed, and Buhai finished on 13-over for a share of 51st, while Alexander slipped to 72nd.
Carnage. That was the word of the day as virtually every name at the top of the leaderboard struggled to tame the beast that is Lancaster Country Club.
But it was 2021 US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso who ultimately slayed the dragon of a venue to hoist the Harton S Semple trophy at the conclusion of the 79th playing of the major championship, emerging victoriously from a wildly dramatic final day.
As much as Saso shone, Sunday was filled with meltdowns. None was more shocking than Minjee Lee, a two-time major champion who captured the IUS Women’s Open at Pine Needles two years ago.
Minjee Lee led by three shots when she got to the sixth hole. She missed a few birdie chances and made two bogeys before making the turn, but still had control. And then her tee shot on the three 3 12th — the same hole where Nelly Korda made 10 in the opening round — came up short and rolled back into the water. She took double-bogey to fall into a tie with Saso.
Saso took the lead for good with a wedge to 3 feet for birdie on the 13th. Minjee Lee drove into waist-high grass on the 14th, had to take a penalty drop and made another double bogey. She closed with a 78.
“Just missed a couple putts for birdie early and then I kind of blew up from there” she said.
Wichanee Meechai of Thailand, the outsider among the leaders with no LPGA wins and a 158 world ranking, fell out early and took a triple bogey on the par-three sixth. She shot 77.
In the end, Japan’s Hinako Shibuno took second, with Ally Ewing and Andrea Lee of the United States sharing third.
