South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai recovered from throwing away a five-shot lead to beat South Korea’s In Gee Chun in a dramatic play-off at the AIG Women’s Open to seal her first major win.

The 33-year-old’s commanding lead at the start of the day evaporated as she triple-bogeyed the par four 15th.

That saw her drop back alongside three-time major winner Chun at -10.

The pair could not be separated on the first three holes of the play-off, matching each other with par, bogey, par.

Buhai finally settled things with a brilliant up and down shot out of the bunker to set up a tap-in for par while Chun, who found a bunker off the tee, failed to match.

She is the first South African to win the tournament since 1979.

Buhai, the world number 84, had earlier scored a four-over-par 75.

Chun, who won the Women’s PGA Championship in June, had been tied for second place overnight on nine under and started strongly as she birdied three of the first nine holes.

But two bogeys on her back nine saw her sign for a one-under-par 70.

Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, who also started the day on nine under, had a mixed round that included an eagle on the par-five fifth. She was still in contention on the 18th needing a birdie, but a par saw her score 71 to finish on nine under.

Ireland’s Leona Maguire had the round of the day as she shot a 66 to finish at seven under alongside Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom and Australia’s Minjee Lee.

England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Scotland’s Louise Duncan were the best placed Brits on one under, while English duo Charley Hull and Georgia Hall finished on level par with compatriot Mel Reid on three over.