Ashleigh Buhai, Adrian Meronk claim Australian Open titles as local hopes fall short

South African Ashleigh Buhai has won the women’s Australian Open by one stroke in Melbourne, while Poland’s Adrian Meronk claimed the men’s title in convincing fashion at the dual-gender tournament.

Buhai completed an outstanding 2022 campaign, adding the win at Victoria Golf Club to her British Open triumph earlier this year.

Meronk became the first Polish player to win the men’s tournament after romping to a five-stroke victory, with Australia’s Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee finishing second and third respectively.

Meanwhile, England’s Kipp Popert won the Australian All Abilities Championship by seven strokes after finishing 2-under-par for the 54-hole event.

Buhai prevailed after a dramatic collapse from Sydney prodigy Grace Kim to dash local hopes for another year on Sunday.

The British Open champion closed with a 1-over 73 to post a nerve-wracking win over South Korean Jayai Shin (75).

Buhai finished the tournament on 12-under.

“It’s the cherry on the top,” an emotional Buhai said of her triumphant season.

“Sorry, it’s just hit me.”

Earlier in the final round, 21-year-old Kim had stood on the 18th tee sharing the lead.

But the new LPGA Tour graduate had to settle for outright fourth place at 9-under after making a mess of the par-five 18th to chalk up a soul-destroying double bogey.

Celebrated compatriot Hannah Green (74) birdied the last to pip Kim for third at 10-under.

Green’s hopes evaporated on the front nine after starting the day two shots off the lead.

Fellow Australian and world number four Minjee Lee (71) finished fifth at 8-under, but the two-time major winner also must be wondering what might have been.

With a double-bogey seven at the eighth hole, Lee spoiled a golden start of three birdies in six holes that had rocketed her into contention.

The US Open champion was never a factor after falling seven shots behind Buhai at the turn.

Lee’s younger brother Min Woo (69) finished the men’s tournament on 8-under to secure a consolation prize of a ticket to next year’s British Open at Royal Liverpool.

Meronk reigns supreme

Meronk captured the Stonehaven Cup in style with an eagle at the 72nd hole in a closing 4-under 66.

The Pole denied his childhood idol Scott a second Australian Open trophy — 13 years after his first — as the third-round leader finished with a disappointing 2-over 74.

“I’m super excited and to finish like that on the 18th hole is just unreal,” said Meronk, who finished the tournament at 14-under.

“I’m so grateful.”

Meronk started the day one shot behind Scott, relishing the chance to duel with the 2013 Masters winner.

With a birdie on the first and bogey from Scott, Meronk seized the lead on a two-stroke swing.

Scott briefly regained a share of the lead with successive birdies, but Meronk refused to relinquish his advantage for a second time after the Australian posted back-to-back bogeys at nine and 10.

Lee threatened to turn the two-way battle into a three-man tussle with an eagle two after driving the par-four first hole to briefly reduce the deficit to two strokes.

But he never recovered after ruefully missing a birdie putt from inside a metre on the fifth hole, then taking bogey on the eighth to slip four shots behind Meronk heading to the turn.

AAP/ABC