By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Ashleigh Buhai opened with a birdie and never looked back as she posted an impressive opening round of 68 at Le Golf National outside Paris on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old, competing in her second Olympics for Team SA, having previously represented them at Rio 2016, started with a birdie three on the first hole and went on to make another four birdies while only dropping one shot.
Buhai is nicely positioned after round one. Her 68 has her alone in second spot, three shots behind home favourite Celine Boutier, but two shots clear of a clutch of four golfers who all signed for two-under 70’s.
“This is a demanding golf course, which I haven’t played before. I only had 12 holes of practice before getting out there on the first tee. But it was nice to get off to a fast start with a birdie. On this golf course you need to be committed to every shot,” she said.
“You have to play smart, play away from the pins when required and take two putts. With a wedge in hand I could be more aggressive. The crowd was amazing, especially with Celine Boutier two groups ahead of us. It’s the biggest crowd I’ve played with, “Buhai said as she looked forward to Thursday’s second round.
Meanwhile Wayde van Niekerk’s quest for a second Olympic medal ended in disappointment on Wednesday night, 07 August 2024, after He finished last in his 200m semi-final with a time of 20.72 seconds at the 2024 Olympic Games.
The 32-year-old, renowned for his world record-breaking 400m victory at the 2016 Rio Olympics, had shifted his focus to the 200m in Paris after battling injuries in recent years.
His appearance in the semi-final was an achievement in itself, considering his narrow qualification from the heats.
However, facing a formidable lineup of competitors, including Noah Lyles, Erriyon Khighton, and Letsile Tebogo, he couldn’t replicate the exceptional performance that had once made him a champion
South Africa’s Shaun Maswanganyi, who ran in the first semi-final, finished fourth in 20.42 to also miss out on a spot in the final.
The final of the men’s 200m will take place on Thursday, 8 August at 20:30 (SA time).
Elsewhere three-time Olympian Julia Vincent is safely through to the semi-finals of the women’s 3m springboard diving competition at the 2024 Paris Games.
The 29-year-old – she turns 30 next week – arrived in Paris on the back of some of the best form of her career, while also vowing to soak up the Olympic experience. “My first Olympics (Rio 2016) I was still very much a little baby. I didn’t feel as though I belonged. That changed five years later when I worked my way to, and was selected to represent Team SA in Tokyo.
The result didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but I still felt I was good enough to be there. She is back on the board on Thursday morning.