South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai made a strong start to the Olympic women’s golf event in Paris on Wednesday.
Buhai carded a four-under-par 68, which included five birdies and a bogey, to sit three shots behind home favourite Celine Boutier, who delighted the French crowds.
Reigning champion Nelly Korda battled back from a poor opening stretch of holes to finish on even par, seven strokes behind Boutier.
The day belonged to Boutier, who won her maiden Major title at last year’s Evian Championship, as the Frenchwoman poured in eight birdies in a brilliant seven-under-par round of 65.
The world No 7, who grew up just 20km from Le Golf National, has not posted a top-10 finish in her last 11 tournaments but found her best at the optimal time.
Boutier and playing partner Lilia Vu of the United States both made quick moves up the leaderboard with three birdies each inside the first six holes.
But it was Boutier who continued that form on the back nine, the highlight a chip-in for birdie on the par-three 16th hole.
Vu finished with a two-under 69 to sit in joint third place, two shots behind former Women’s British Open winner Buhai.
“This is a demanding golf course, which I haven’t played before,” Buhai told the Team SA website. “I only had 12 holes of practice before getting out there on the 1st tee. But it was nice to get off to a fast start with a birdie.
“On this golf course you need to be committed to every shot. You have to play smart, play away from the pins when required and take two putts. With a wedge in hand I could be more aggressive.
“The crowd was amazing, especially with Celine Boutier two groups ahead of us. It’s the biggest crowd I’ve played with,” Buhai added.
Mexico’s Gaby Lopez, Colombian Mariajo Uribe and Swiss player Morgane Metraux are also in a four-way tie for third with Vu, already five strokes adrift of Boutier.
The other South African in the field, Paula Reto, carded a 78 that included three birdies, a bogey, a double-bogey and a triple-bogey.
Korda made a slow start in the trickiest of the conditions to slip to three over par after eight holes.
She struggled with the putter all day but was bogey-free from then on, settling for a level-par 72 despite missing out on a closing birdie with a three-putt.
“I actually didn’t hit it that bad. I just made four three-putts,” said Korda. “The greens were just completely different, from the practice green to the golf course, they were a lot slower.”
The world No 1, who won six LPGA Tour titles in the space of seven events earlier this season, was well supported on the course.
“I can’t even imagine what it is like with Celine’s group,” added the American, who won gold in Tokyo by a single shot ahead of Japan’s Mone Inami and Lydia Ko.
“I’ve heard a couple of the roars, and it’s been such an amazing experience so far.”
Canadian Brooke Henderson delivered a spectacular moment on the 18th green for the hundreds of fans watching, sinking a 48-foot eagle putt to card a two-over 74.
“Even early this morning teeing off, 1 was surrounded. It was just an incredible vibe,” said the two-time Major champion.
“It’s so cool that women’s golf is so popular in this event here this week. It’s pretty exciting for the game.”
New Zealander Ko, the only golfer with two individual Olympic medals, signed for a 72.
Ko is hoping to add a gold to the silver she won in Rio de Janeiro and the bronze she took in Japan.
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Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images
