Ashleigh Buhai received her first major at the 2022 AIG Women’s Open.
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The 2023 major season has given us a little bit bit of every part. From the return of once-great stars to the emergence of the recreation’s subsequent massive names, this summer time has been one to recollect.
This week, we are going to lastly put a bow on the 2023 major season with the AIG Women’s Open.
The Women’s Open has solely been thought of a major for a little bit over 20 years, but it surely’s had a lot of intrigue in the twenty years since. Greats like Annika Sorenstam have made their mark on this event, whereas Cinderella tales like Sophia Popov have loved success as nicely. When the women tee it up throughout the pond, glorious storylines are by no means briefly provide.
With that in thoughts, listed here are questions we have now this week as the women tackle Walton Heath at the 2023 AIG Women’s Open.
Time for a repeat?
Asheigh Buhai entered final summer time’s AIG Women’s Open looking for her first profession LPGA victory. Despite having a professional profession of 15 years, the South African had but to interrupt by means of on the LPGA Tour.
That all modified with one magical week at Muirfield. Buhai, buoyed by a third-round 64, captured the Women’s Open title in a playoff over In Gee Chun for her first LPGA victory. The win was not solely Buhai’s first, but additionally the first Women’s Open victory for her dwelling nation of South Africa. Now a year later, Buhai returns to the Women’s Open trying to notch one other first.
If Buhai can win this week at Walton Heath, she’ll turn into the first lady to ever win the Women’s Open in back-to-back years. Judging by her type this season, she’s bought a fighter’s likelihood. In 15 begins this year, Buhai has six high 10s — together with a victory — and ranks ninth in the Race to the CME Globe standings.
Will the first-time winner development proceed?
Women’s skilled golf is in a wholesome spot. More individuals are watching the sport than ever earlier than, and purses proceed to extend. Plus, with a expertise pool as deep as ever, the competitors is fierce week in and week out.
However, with the improve in expertise in the ladies’s recreation, it’s turn into an increasing number of tough for a dominant pressure to emerge. As a end result, we’re on a bit of a streak for first-time major winners.
Since final summer time’s Evian Championship (received by Brooke Henderson), there’s been five-straight first-time major winners. Buhai began the development final year at Muirfield, and wins by Lilia Vu (Chevron Championship), Allisen Corpuz (U.S. Women’s Open), Ruoning Yin (Women’s PGA) and Celine Boutier (Evian Championship) have continued the streak. Will this week give us one other first-time winner?
Can the stars get it performed?
While the 2023 major season has had a lot of intriguing storylines, it’s been largely devoid of the largest stars.
Nelly Korda, Jin Young Ko and Lydia Ko — the high three in the Rolex Ranking — have simply three mixed high 10s at the majors in 12 begins this year. For context, the trio mixed for seven high 10s in 2022 and 6 in 2021.
Some of this may be attributed to harm points, with Korda and Ko battling their well being this season, however a bulk of it has simply been plain outdated dangerous golf. Other than Korda’s solo third at the Chevron Championship, none of them have even been in severe rivalry coming down the stretch on Sunday afternoon.
If they need to change that narrative of a major season devoid of star energy, they’ve one final likelihood this week.
Who’s going to lock up a Solheim Cup bid?
The Solheim Cup is true round the nook, however there’s nonetheless a pair weeks left in qualifying — and a stable displaying at the year’s final major would go a great distance in locking up a spot on the groups.
The high spots on every group have already been claimed by the likes of Nelly Korda and Celine Boutier, however for these on the fringe, this week is big in phrases of impressing their captains.
On the American facet, Angel Yin, Cheyenne Knight and Lizette Salas aren’t but assured spots, so enjoying nicely at Walton Heath is paramount. On the European facet, Gemma Dryburgh, Albane Valenzuela and Nanna Koertz Madsen are additionally trying to make their final impressions a superb one.
The high of the leaderboard can be the place the combat for first takes place, however down the board there can be planty of jockeying for spots on the Solheim Cup groups.
Can Rose keep sizzling?
Rose Zhang solely turned professional a number of months in the past, however she’s already established herself as one of the high stars in the ladies’s recreation. Since her victory in her professional debut at Liberty National, she’s added three high 10s in three major begins.
Zhang has but to interrupt by means of for her first major title, however at this level, it solely looks as if a matter of time. She claimed low-amateur honors in her final begin at the Women’s Open, however this year, she’ll have her sights set on a a lot bigger prize. Can the 20-year-old surprise add a major to her resume in her rookie season? We can’t wait to search out out.
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