Buhai hangs on to slender lead at Blue Bay

Hainan Island – Reigning Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies champion Ashleigh Buhai (right) holds a one-shot lead after two rounds of the LPGA Blue Bay after she posted one of just two rounds in the 60s on a blustery day yesterday.

After six weeks at home, Buhai rejoined the LPGA Tour at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, but a foot injury forced her to withdraw in the final round.

She flew to Abu Dhabi where she competed in the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour. After a sluggish start, she travelled to China buoyed by a strong performance in the final round that boosted her to a tie for 33rd at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

Buhai and compatriot LeeAnne Pace both got off to a fast start at the Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club and rounds of five-under-par 67 saw the SA pair start the second round two behind South Korea’s Sun Young Yoo.

On a day when only six players broke par and the average score hovered around the 76 mark, Buhai fired a four-under 68 to move into the second round lead at nine-under 135.

“I just kind of was playing the golf course as it came,” said the 28-year-old.

“It played a lot tougher than the last few days. The wind was more or less the same direction, just stronger. It helped being the same direction as you have an idea what to do. It was just a case of taking more club and just trying to play it with the wind.”

Shanshan Feng from China went one better with a 67 to move to second on eight under, while Yoo finished alone in third on five-under after a 74. Former champion Pace carded a second round 75 to slip to joint eighth on two-under.

Buhai mixed birdies at three and four with a bogey at the sixth to turn one under and racked up further gains at 12, 14, 15 and 18 after starting the back nine with a bogey.

“I’ve always played well in the wind,” said Buhai. “I feel like I can flight it up or down. So maybe in a way the wind does play into my hands. It just depends on what kind of week you’re having.”

She chipped in at 12, before holing short putts for birdies at 14 and 18.