Ashleigh Buhai follows fellow South Africans Gary Player and Ernie Els in claiming major glory at Muirfield-10 Buhai* (SA), Chun (Kor); -9 Shibuno (Jpn); -7 Sagstrom (Swe), Lee (Aus), Maguire (Ire)Selected others: -1 Ewart Shadoff, Duncan (Sco); Level Hall (Eng), Hull (Eng); +3 Reid (Eng); +5 Law (Eng)*denotes winner after four-hole play-offFull leaderboardSouth Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai recovered from throwing away a five-shot lead to beat South Korea’s In Gee Chun in a dramatic play-off at the AIG Women’s Open to seal her first major win.

Buhai won the victory at 21.10 BST in Muirfield by parring the fourth hole after Chun had bogeyed.

The 33-year-old lost her commanding lead at the opening of the day when she triple-bogeyed par four 15.

This saw her fall back at the 10th under alongside Chun, three-time major victor.

The play-off began with the pair matching their scores of par, bogey, and par.

Buhai settled the matter with a great up-and-down shot from the bunker to set up par. Chun failed to match his brilliant play, finding a bunker off of the tee.

‘It’s life-changing’Buhai is the first South African to win the tournament since 1979 and pockets $1.095m (£907,000) from the purse of $7.3m (£6.05m).

Buhai said, “I’m so proud of myself, and how I dug deep in order to get into the playoff,” as he joined compatriots Gary Player (1959), and Ernie Els ((2002) in winning a major Muirfield title.

“It’s hard to put it into words right now. While it might not hit me right away, it is evident that I am very proud.

“We’re very small so to be in a position to produce several major champions it is quite amazing. Now for me to be the female South African major winner, I have no words.

Chun, aged 27, said: “I never gave in, and gave it all I had. Ashleigh did a fantastic bunker shot, and she deserved it. “I am so happy for her.”

DavidStory, Ashleigh Buhai’s husband, embraces Ashleigh Buhai. Ashleigh Buhai, world number 84, had previously scored a four over-par 75 and was three ahead with four to play before her collapse.

Chun, who won June’s Women’s PGA Championship, was tied for second overnight at nine under. She started strong, birdieing three of the first nine holes.

Two bogeys on her back 9 saw her sign for a 1-under-par 70.

Japan’s Hinako Shubuno started the day at nine under. She had a mixed round that included an eighteen on the par-5 fifth. She was still in contention after the 18th hole, and needed to birdie again. But, she scored 71 to finish in third place.

Maguire’s best major finishIreland’s Leona Maguire scores a 66 to tie for fourth at seven under with Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden and Minjee Lee from Australia.

Maguire, who finished with her best result in a major, stated that she could not have played better. Although there were a few chances to make it in, Maguire would have loved to putt a few more. However, the course was challenging and my best of the week.

England’s Jodi Emart Shadoff was tied for 19th with Scotland’s Louise Duncan. On one over, Charley Hull of England and Georgia Hall were level with Mel Reid’s on three over.

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