Ashleigh Buhai Feels at Home With the 36-Hole Lead at -11; Arkansas Alum Gaby Lopez Two Back Heading Into Sunday
By Jeremy Friedman
ROGERS, Ark. – Ashleigh Buhai has been in this position before as the leader heading into the final round of an LPGA Tour event. Playing in a tournament like this week’s Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G that has such a large community feel and support, sleeping on the 36-hole lead will be a little easier.
“The support that we always get at this tournament is unreal,” said Buhai, who carded seven birdies on Saturday en-route to a 36-hole tally of 11-under par and a one-stroke lead. “The community gets behind it. Hopefully we’ll have that support tomorrow and we can carry it with us.”
Buhai and her husband, David, are staying with the same host family in Northwest Arkansas for a 10th consecutive year. Tonight, they will have a relaxing barbecue with their host family – David is barbecuing – to help take Ashleigh’s mind off of Sunday so she can be fresh, rested and ready.
“Obviously easier said then done,” said Buhai. “If I go out tomorrow and try to do my job well – the one thing I’m trying to do – that’s all I can do. Hopefully the rest will take care of itself.”
Trailing one shot behind is Epson Tour winner Dottie Ardina, who started out hot by going 5-under through her first six holes, including a hole-out eagle on the par-4 5th hole from 110 yards.
“It was a perfect wedge, a perfect number,” said Ardina. “Actually at first I didn’t see it. The crowd on the greens just screamed and I’m like, ‘Oh, it disappeared!’ That was great.
“I just need to be calm and just focus on my own game,” Ardina continued. “I always think to play like a practice round because there is no pressure. I’m going to try to do that tomorrow.”
Also in contention heading into Sunday are a contingent of Arkansas Razorbacks, including Razorback alum Gaby Lopez, a three-time LPGA Tour winner and two time Olympian representing Mexico. Lopez stands two shots back at 9-under following a 4-under par 67 on Saturday in a round that included coming back from an early-round triple-bogey on her fifth hole. Following the triple, she proceeded to card six birdies to finish at 9-under.
“It’s probably the best mental round that I’ve had,” said Lopez. “After having a triple bogey, its so easy to kind of just lose yourself and lose patience. I feel that I’m making a lot of birdies so I just told myself, ‘Hey, you’re playing awesome. There is a ton of golf left,’ I just tried to give myself a pat on the back and kind of keep the gas pedal down.”
The support from the Northwest Arkansas and Arkansas Razorback community also helped her to rally from her early-round triple. She has embraced the “hometown feeling” all week, including today.
“Just looking around at all the people that are around me, it doesn’t matter if I shoot a 10 or I make a birdie, they’re still right there next to me cheering me on.”
For Razorback alum Maria Fassi and current Razorback All-American Maria Jose Marin, competing alongside each other the first two days has prepared them for Sunday’s final round push. Each at 7-under-par heading into Sunday’s final round., they will be paired in successive groups on championship Sunday.
“I’ve said it a million times and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of saying it, but it’s such a cool thing we have going on here in Arkansas,” said Fassi. “Everybody just shows up. It makes you feel special. They definitely make you feel like one of their own.”
“Everyone is cheering for you and supporting you no matter what you do, but because you’re a Razorback,” said Marin. “I think that’s one of the main reasons I came here. Razorback community is just so…they stick together.”
Following Saturday’s second round, 77 players at -2 or better advance to Sunday’s final round of play. Tee times will begin at 8:43 a.m. CT off of No. 1 and 10 tees, with the leaders teeing off at 10:55 a.m. CT. Golf Channel will televise live final round coverage from 1-4 p.m. CT.
