It was a tough weekend for Ashleigh Buhai in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania as Sei Young Kim romped to a comprehensive five-shot victory for her first major championship.
As the Korean went 10-under for the weekend with rounds of 67 in the third and a brilliant 63 in the final round, Buhai, who was just two off the pace going into the weekend, fought her way to a four-over 74 in the third round and carded a battling 71 in the closing round to finish in a share of 18th at three-over for the tournament, 11 shots back.
During a tournament in which only eight players finished under par on demanding course set up for a major, it was a good finish for Buhai to go with her share of 11th in the Women’s British Open earlier in the year.
Kim, a 2016 Olympian, was runner-up at the 2015 Women’s PGA Championship and tied for second at the Evian Championship in 2018. Kim held the 54-hole lead at a major once, at the 2015 ANA Inspiration, where she finished in a tie for fourth.
She was five strokes better than runner-up Inbee Park, and never seriously challenged on the arduous course. Her dominance was in plain sight. Her final-round 63 tied a tournament record, and her 266 set the championship scoring record.
“I’m actually really hiding my tears at the moment,” she said, standing next to the trophy.
Buhai’s finish left her still in 19th spot on the Race to CME Globe season standings.
