Ashleigh Buhai’s historic golf championship win celebrated

South African golfer Ashleigh Buhai made history by becoming the third South African woman to win a major golf championship, the AIG Women’s open at Muirfield in Scotland, on the eve of Women’s Day.

The last South African woman to achieve this accolade was Sally Little in 1988. Buhai’s win comes just after Banyana Banyana were victorious at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Buhai had a very successful amateur career and turned professional the day after her 18th birthday.

In 2007, she won the Catalonia Ladies Masters, which was only her third tournament after turning professional. She also became the youngest professional player to win the Ladies’ European tour.

Political party ActionSA said Buhai’s win should be celebrated. “ActionSA contends that this is yet another wake-up moment in South African sports to drive greater parity between men’s and women’s sporting codes. this means improving the level of investment and national interest behind women’s sports in South Africa and acknowledging our sportswomen who are, in many sporting codes, flying the South African flag highest,” said ActionSA president herman Mashaba.