A ready-to-fire Ashleigh Buhai will join a star-studded field this week at the Jabra Ladies Classic, which starts at Glendower Golf Club on Wednesday, writes ANDRE HUISAMEN.
Buhai was due to play in Thailand and Singapore but the LPGA took the necessary steps to cancel three Asian events due to the coronavirus threat.
After playing really well at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, the 30-year-old admits that she was disappointed about missing out on opportunities to perform on the LPGA Tour.
‘I was due to play the Investec South African Women’s Open at Westlake next week, but things didn’t quite work out. In a sense it was disappointing, because I played nicely in Australia and I was looking forward to the next two events.
‘It was like they pulled the handbrake on me just when I was catching some form, but at least it’s a win for me; I got to come home and compete in the Jabra Ladies Classic this week,’ said Buhai.
She is, however, confident about her chances of doing well in Johannesburg and has won at Glendower in the past, claiming victory at the 2014 Chase to the Investec Cup.
‘I attended the academy at Glendower from a young age, so I’ve been playing the course for about 20 years. “The Old Lady” is one of my firm favourites and it’s nice to be back here.’
‘I think a little local knowledge will help, but with all the rain in the last two days, you can pretty much fire at the flags. Hopefully we don’t get any more rain and the course can dry up and really show its teeth.’
Buhai believes that she will have to work hard this week and will have to perform really well to beat other top candidates such as Lejan Lewthwaite, Stacy Bregman and Monique Smit.
‘There is an expectation that I should do well here, so there is a little added pressure, but I’ve been following the tour and the girls are playing some exceptional golf. I will have to play well and I can’t take anything for granted,’ said Buhai.
