San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Buhai bags 8 birdies on way to 5-shot lead
Ashleigh Buhai surged into a five-shot lead at the Women’s British Open at Muirfield, Scotland, after shooting a 7-under 64 in the third round on Saturday.
Now she just has to find a way to finish off for her first major victory.
The South African also led this tournament in 2019 at Woburn after the second round but finished fifth, her best result at a major.
Buhai is in a much stronger position at Muirfield after a round that included eight birdies before a lone bogey on the last hole, giving her a 14-under total of 199.
Five of those birdies came on the first seven holes but perhaps the most impressive was on the par-5 17th, when she chipped in from off the green after hitting her tee shot into the rough.
It was the best round of the week despite the wind picking up to blow stronger gusts than during the first two days.
“To be able to shoot that score in those conditions, you have to be able to pat yourself on the back, so much so that I thought I was 6-under, not 7,” Buhai said. “So, I was 8-under playing the last, which I think I have to look back, is probably one of the best rounds of golf I’ve ever played.”
Hinako Shibuno of Japan (66) and second-round leader In Gee Chun of South Korea (70) were tied for second. Seven-time major winner Inbee Park and Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden were another two shots back.
Buhai has three victories on the European Tour but has never won an LPGA Tour event. But she’s never had a five-shot lead going into the final round, either.
She’s doing her best not to look too far ahead, though.
“I’m most proud of the way I just stayed focused and calm (today). That’s all I try to control. I wasn’t thinking of the outcome,” Buhai said. “I only saw a leaderboard for the first time I think when I was on 12, no, 13. And then I just said to myself, ‘OK, that’s fine, you’re in a good spot. Check back in with yourself now and concentrate on what you’re trying to do.’ ” threatened a major upset, but Nunez showed just why Liverpool spent big to bring the Uruguay forward in from Benfica this offseason
In other EPL action, Jorginho’s late first-half penalty was enough to give Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Everton for the London club’s first win at Goodison Park in five visits . ... Scott Parker won the battle of the former England midfielders as his newly promoted Bournemouth marked its return to the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa . ... Fabian Schar’s longrange shot and Callum Wilson’s late goal ensured Nottingham Forest’s long-awaited EPL return ended in a 2-0 loss at Newcastle . ... American midfielder Brenden Aaronson helped Leeds open the English Premier League with a 2-1 comeback win over Wolverhampton . ... Tottenham recovered quickly from going a goal down and routed Southampton 4-1.
In the MLS, Andrew Gutman’s strike from outside the box in the 94th minute gave Atlanta United a 2-1 win over the visiting Seattle Sounders. Ronaldo Cisneros opened the scoring for Atlanta, but Cristian Roldan evened the score in the 68th minute for Seattle.
Baseball: Francisco Lindor had three hits and drove in three runs as the Mets beat the NL East rival Braves 8-5 in the opener of a doubleheader in New York. The win extended New York’s division lead over Atlanta to 4½ games.
The Chicago Cubs reinstated 11-year veteran shortstop Andrelton Simmons from the injured list, then designated the four-time Gold Glove winner for assignment before their game with the Miami Marlins.
Simmons signed a $4 million deal with the Cubs in March, but the 32-year-old from Curacao appeared in just 34 games because of two right shoulder injuries. Simmons hit .173 with seven RBIs for the Cubs. He hadn’t appeared in a game with Chicago since July 10 against the Dodgers but had just completed a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa.
NFL: Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has returned to practice after missing nearly a week with COVID-19.
Murray was in full pads for Saturday’s scrimmage in front of fans at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Coach Kliff Kingsbury said Murray had experienced some mild symptoms but was able to attend meetings virtually during the quarterback’s time away.