Ashleigh Buhai bounced back after watching her five-shot lead evaporate to claim her first major title Sunday at the Women’s British Open.

The South African golfer beat In Gee Chun in a playoff at Muirfield in Scotland, sinking a par putt on the fourth playoff hole to clinch her first LPGA Tour victory.

“I was surprisingly calm,” Buhai said following her win. “My caddie said to me on the last one, I don’t want to brag, but she said, ‘Show them why you’re No. 1 in bunkers this year.’ So, you know, she gave me the confidence. Maybe it’s got something to do with Muirfield and South Africans and bunker shots.”

Buhai kept her head to close out the tournament after surging to a sizable lead through the opening three rounds of competition. The 33-year-old carded a triple bogey on the par-4 15th to lose the lead, shooting 4-over 75 in a challenging final round.

“I know there are a lot of people in South Africa with lots of gray hairs right now after that 15th hole,” Buhai said. “But I’m very proud of myself, the way I dug deep and kept myself in it to get into that playoff.”

Buhai’s victory marks the first time a South African took home the British Open trophy since Alison Sheard in 1979.

Ashleigh Buhai charged to a five-shot lead at the AIG Women’s Open after firing a 7-under 64 in the event’s third round Saturday.

The South African golfer carded eight birdies despite the blustery conditions at Muirfield to amass a sizeable advantage heading into Sunday’s final round.

“Obviously I’m very pleased. To be able to I think shoot that score in those conditions, you have to be able to pat yourself on the back,” said Buhai after her impressive third round. “So much so that I thought I was 6-under, not 7, so I was 8-under playing the last, which I think I have to look back is probably one of the best rounds of golf I’ve ever played.”

At 14- under, Buhai sits in front of Hinako Shibuno and Chun In-gee, who are tied for second at 9-under. With the British Open trophy within reach, Buhai will need to keep her head to close out the final round and clinch her first major title.

“I don’t think you can ever be comfortable in a major whether you’re coming from behind or leading. It’s going to be another tough day. The wind is going to blow, which is good. I prefer it that way,” said Buhai “But they say big leads are often more difficult, and I think because you try to maybe play defensively. But I think I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and sticking to those steps.”

The AIG Women’s Open would mark Buhai’s first LPGA Tour win in 221 starts.