South Africa's Ashleigh Buhai defeated Korean In Gee Chun at the fourth hole of a sudden-death play-off to win her first Major title in dramatic style in the AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield.

The 33-year-old Buhai let slip a five-shot overnight lead with a closing four-over 75 – largely due to a triple bogey at the 15th – to finish level with Chun on ten-under-par 274.

However, Buhai held her nerve to finally win with a par at the fourth time of playing the par-4 18th, hitting a brilliant greenside bunker shot to three feet and making the putt.

Ranked 84th in the Rolex Women’s Golf Rankings with three previous Ladies’ European Tour wins to her name, Buhai denied Chun, 27, a fourth Major victory.

Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, the 2019 champion at Woburn, secured third place thanks to a final round level-par 71 for a nine-under-par total.

“I’m a little overwhelmed to be honest. I’m trying to take a breath, but it’s obviously fantastic to win this championship, the AIG Women's Open, it's a dream come true," said Buhai, who became the second women’s Major winner from South Africa, joining Sally Little (1980 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, 1988 du Maurier Classic).

Ashleigh Buhai with the coveted trophy

Buhai also joins famous past winners from South Africa to win at Muirfield after Ernie Els (2002) and Gary Player (1959) both won The Open over the renowned links.

“It's a huge honour to have more South African success here. To follow those two greats, two of my idols growing up, and for us to play here for the first time at Muirfield, making history, I'm very, very honoured and very, very proud to be South African right now,” she said.

The victor received USD1.095 million for her efforts after the overall prize fund was increased to USD7.3 million for this year’s championship.

Ireland’s Leona Maguire (66), Minjee Lee from Australia (69) and Swede Madelene Sagstrom (71) tied for fourth spot on seven-under-par. 

American Rose Zhang, the number one ranked amateur in the world, won the Smyth Salver for leading amateur after finishing on one-over-par for her 72 holes following a closing 73.

In an historic week for golf with Muirfield hosting the AIG Women’s Open for the first time, 33,303 fans enjoyed attending the championship.

Next year’s AIG Women’s Open will be played at Walton Heath, followed by St Andrews in 2024 and Royal Porthcawl in 2025.