Cape Town - Ashleigh
Buhai's seven-year wait for a third Ladies European Tour (LET) title ended in
Cape Town when she won the South African Women's Open on the Sunshine
Ladies Tour last March.
South
Africa's leading international golfer became the third player to achieve a
hat-trick of triumphs and she will take up her title defence when the
R2-million LET co-sanctioned showpiece returns to Westlake Golf Club from
March 14-16.
The world No 116 hopes to join Lee-Anne Pace with four victories, but believes it
will be a tougher task to reach the winner's circle this year.
"When
Investec took up the title sponsorship last year and put the South
African Women's Open back on the LET schedule, the interest in the event really
sparked and the tournament drew a strong field of international golfers," said
Buhai.
"I
really had to work for the win and now that this year's Sunshine Ladies Tour
has two new events - the Jabra Ladies Classic at Glendower and the Team
Championship at Serengeti - the depth of the field will be even stronger.
"With
spots into two LET events, courtesy of the South African Women's Open
and the Jabra Ladies Classic, we can expect an even bigger presence of LET
players. Several Sunshine Ladies Tour players like Lejan Lewthwaite and Nobuhle
Dlamini have also made huge strides over the last 12 months. Lee-Anne Pace and
Stacy Bregman are always dangerous and, if you factor in the international
entries, the level of competition will be even higher.
"I am
coming back with the goal of defending the title, but it won't be a walk in the
park. I will have to bring my A-game to Westlake to finish in front."
Pace
will also be back, chasing title number five, and Stacy Bregman, now the third
highest ranked South African in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings at No
306, is targeting a maiden win.
"The South African Women's Open trophy is definitely on my bucket list,"
said the five-time Sunshine Ladies Tour champion and last year's Investec
Property Fund Order of Merit winner.
"I
didn't practice much ahead of the first event on the LET in Abu Dhabi and I got
the bad end of the draw for the first two days, so I was really pleased to
finish in the top 16. I plan to defend at the Canon Sunshine Ladies Tour Open
at the end of January and then I am heading to Australia.
"I will
be playing four events, including the Australian Women's Open and I hope to
build up some good form for Westlake. The South African Women's Open
is the one title we all aspire to win and I came close last year. I went low on
the final day to finish fourth and this year, I'm aiming for the winner's
circle."
The South African Women's Open has enjoyed the support of the City of Cape
Town since regaining co-sanctioned status last year and moving to the Mother
City.
Dan Plato, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, said, "In December last year, Cape Town was named as
the 'World's Leading Festival and Events Destination' at the World Tourism
Awards. Being able to host fantastic sporting events such as the Investec SA
Women's Open further confirms why we are able to celebrate this title. Big
events being held in Cape Town mean fantastic entertainment for our residents
and visitors, and at the same time bring with them skills development and job
creation opportunities for our communities. I want to wish the event organisers
and all participants a successful event and I’m looking forward to seeing Cape
Town come out to support our South African
sporting stars."