The best moments you may have missed at the Women’s Open
An historic 2022 AIG Women’s Open lived up to the hype as the stars put on a show at Muirfield in the final major of the year.
It was a nail-biting finale as Ashleigh Buhai battled In Gee Chun in a dramatic playoff to land her maiden major, but what about the storylines you maybe missed? Let’s recap the best moments from East Lothian…
The Stretching Cinderella
Not content with having the best nickname in golf, Hinako Shibuno hilariously added ‘world’s best warm-up’ to her list of growing accolades at Muirfield. While ‘Smiling Cinderella’ fell just short of a second title, the 2019 champ kept everyone entertained with this epic pre-round routine:
Playoff agony!
Things couldn’t have been more tense when we headed to a climactic sudden death playoff. For some, the agony was simply too much…
But as always, Shibuno was loving life!
Hall’s remarkable escape
There are few things we love more than some A+ caddie work, and Georgia Hall’s looper Joe Miller had it in abundance on day two as he helped avoid a potentially tournament-ending disaster for the 2018 Open champ.
Here’s how things played out when Hall was faced with a seemingly impossible escape on the par-5 5th…
Zhang’s decision pays off
It was a tough call for several amateurs forced to choose between the Women’s Open and the US Women’s Amateur – the latter clashing with the major’s finish over at Chambers Bay.
Fortunately for Rose Zhang, she opted for Muirfield, and what a decision it proved to be. The American cruised into the weekend as the only amateur to make the cut, before some sensational ball striking helped her finish T28 and pick up the Smyth Salver low amateur award.
Korda’s wardrobe woes
It was a rollercoaster week for Jessica Korda, who was forced to borrow clothes from several players after her luggage failed to arrive in Edinburgh.
“Monday, I wore Megan Khang’s pants, Tuesday, I wore my sister’s pants, and Wednesday I wore Alison Lee’s pants,” she said on Thursday. “And today I’m wearing FootJoy pants.”
If the outfits were inconsistent, Korda’s golf then matched suit (or, pants). Despite opening with a 66 to sit in second after day one, the American followed up with a 74, before two rounds over par on the weekend finished off a frustrating tournament.
- RELATED: AIG Women’s Open leaderboard
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Queen Bee extends insane record
There are few bigger legends in golf than Inbee Park, and while sadly it wasn’t to be for the seven-time major champ following a disastrous final day, Queen Bee’s excellent first two rounds saw her extent the most insane of records.
Despite hinting at retirement, Park rolled back the years with a 69-67 on Thursday and Friday, meaning that incredibly, the Hall of Famer has now carded 73 rounds in the 60s in majors since 2007, 19 more than anymore else!
“Wait for it…”
For most of the 2022 AIG Women’s Open, it seemed like In Gee Chun simply couldn’t miss a putt. When the PGA champ then did finally appear to leave one short, the golfing gods gave her a helping hand…
Muirfield member’s special day
Now time for the feel good moment of the week, courtesy of Muirfield member Lindsey Garden. Amid controversy surrounding the East Lothian club, more history was made as Garden was given the honour of teeing up as a marker on round three.
A former Scottish international, Garden played alongside Lydia Hall in the first group on Saturday after 65 players made the cut.
“I played okay,” she said afterwards. “I didn’t embarrass myself off the first tee, almost got on the green at the first, three-putted as usual!”
The Dame makes more history
National treasure Laura Davies added more history to an iconic career as she tee’d up for a record 42nd Women’s Open! And if that wasn’t incredible enough, Davies was also returning to Muirfield four decades on from her Curtis Cup appearance in 1984.
Having made her tournament debut at 16, the Dame appears in no danger of slowing down either, stating she intends to play in the next two Opens before her exemption runs out at age 60.
Legend.
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George Cooper
A golf fanatic his entire life, George Cooper is NCG's man for all goings-on at the top level of the game, whether it's the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA or LIV Golf. He also looks after NCG's Twitter and Facebook accounts. George is a member of Woburn, but is not friends with Ian Poulter.
