Sunshine Ladies Tour grows with increased prize money and more opportunities

The Sunshine Ladies Tour will celebrate its 12th season as Africa’s premier women’s professional golf circuit with another strong schedule of local and international tournaments, increased prize money, and a reward for the champions to chase a R1 million payday.

In announcing its 2025 schedule on Wednesday, the Sunshine Ladies Tour unveiled a season of eight tournaments to be played from February to April.

The season will once again be anchored by the two co-sanctioned events with the Ladies European Tour (LET) – the Joburg Ladies Open at Modderfontein Golf Club and the Investec South African Women’s Open at Erinvale Golf Estate.

There will be increased prize money at two of the tournaments on the schedule, namely the Investec South African Women’s Open and the Standard Bank Ladies Open hosted by City of Cape Town.

There is also a new tournament on the schedule, the R1 million Platinum Ladies Open to be played at the Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate.

Apart from the overall crown of Investec Order of Merit champion, the winners of each of the tournaments as well as the Order of Merit champion will also qualify to play in the Sunshine Tour’s Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq, where they will compete with the men’s professionals for a first prize of R1 million at Royal Johannesburg Golf Club’s East Championship Course.

“We’re very excited about the 2025 schedule, which reflects the growth of women’s golf in our country. Our focus is to keep building the pathways that help our leading professionals grow their careers and which enables them to take their games onto the international stage. This coming season – with the valuable support of our sponsors and partners who share our vision – will be another major step towards achieving this goal,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour and speaking on behalf of the Sunshine Ladies Tour.

The past season reflected how the growing opportunities in the local game are creating greater player depth here. On the final Investec Order of Merit, half of the top 10 were South African professionals, while the season also saw a breakthrough debut victory for Bloemfontein’s Gabrielle Venter.

The 2025 season will also build significantly on the already strong foundation between the Sunshine Ladies Tour and Sunshine Tour and the drive to create equal opportunities in the South African game.

This year seven professionals from the Sunshine Ladies Tour have competed in the Sunshine Tour’s Vodacom Origins of Golf series, playing alongside the men for the same prize money as well as a financial incentive for the best performing Sunshine Ladies Tour professional on the series, and an exemption to play in the Joburg Ladies Open as well as exemptions to compete in three tournaments on the Ladies European Tour’s Access Series. The Access Series is the LET’s official development tour based in Europe. The top six on the Order of Merit there at the end of their season secure their playing privileges on the LET.

Magical Manon wins Investec SA Women’s Open

SOMERSET WEST, Western Cape – Belgium’s Manon De Roey put the finishing touch to another remarkable Sunshine Ladies Tour season when she claimed a four-stroke victory in the Investec South African Women’s Open at the Erinvale Country and Golf Estate on Sunday.

De Roey went into the final round with a three-stroke lead and built on this as she eventually signed for a closing 72 to win on 14 under par overall.

“I’m super happy with my performance this week. I had a couple of goals at the beginning of this year and one of them was to win again,” said De Roey, who claimed her first victory on the Sunshine Ladies Tour and her second on the Ladies European Tour.

England’s Gabriella Cowley, who shared second place on 10 under par alongside New Zealand’s Momoka Kobori, was crowned as the Sunshine Ladies Tour’s overall Investec Order of Merit champion and received R200 000 courtesy of Investec.

And Nicole Garcia finished as the leading South African in fourth place on eight under par. This also secured her second place on the Investec Order of Merit and, as the leading South African here, she won herself a Renault for the year.

On Sunday, De Roey relished the challenge of another windy day in the winelands and was never under any pressure from the rest of the field as she cruised to victory.

“I like playing in windy conditions because I feel like I can shape the ball well. I can just let the wind do the work and I feel a bit more relaxed,” she said.

South Africa’s Garcia was equally delighted with her finish after putting in a strong performance on the weekend which included her third round of 64 and then Sunday’s 71 to secure her a top-five finish in this event as well as the title of leading South African on the Investec Order of Merit.

“It was a bit of a surprise to find that out when I walked off the 18th green. I hadn’t really realised that it was a possibility. I’m going to enjoy my Renault for the year. But I’m happy with my performance overall, and this is a great added bonus,” she said.

It was also a lucrative final round for France’s Emma Grechi. Grechi scored an albatross on the par-five 16th and won R500 000 courtesy of Renault.

The Investec South African Women’s Open was the grand finale on this season’s eight-tournament Sunshine Ladies Tour. – Michael Vlismas.

SCORES:

274 – Manon De Roey (BEL) 69 67 66 72
278 – Gabriella Cowley (ENG) 69 72 67 70, Momoka Kobori (NZL) 69 70 68 71
280 – Nicole Garcia 76 69 64 71
281 – Ines Laklalech (MAR) 70 70 65 76
282 – Sarah Schober (AUT) 70 76 65 71, Hannah Burke (ENG) 68 72 70 72
283 – Lisa Pettersson (SWE) 68 71 67 77
284 – Jana Melichova (CZE) 69 74 68 73, Kim Metraux (SUI) 70 71 68 75
285 – Bronte Law (ENG) 68 76 70 71, Patricia Isabel Schmidt (GER) 71 71 70 73, Elena Moosmann (SUI) 66 75 70 74, Kristyna Napoleaova (CZE) 71 75 65 74, Rosie Davies (ENG) 66 71 71 77
286 – Sofie Kibsgaard (DEN) 73 72 71 70, Chiara Tamburlini (SUI) 70 75 72 69, Annabell Fuller (ENG) 68 71 76 71, Dorthea Forbrigd (NOR) 72 73 70 71, Eleanor Givens (ENG) 69 71 69 77
287 – Caroline Hedwall (SWE) 71 73 71 72, Casandra Alexander 73 75 66 73, Emma Spitz (AUT) 73 75 66 73
288 – Virginia Elena Carta (ITA) 70 74 72 72, Diksha Dagar (IND) 73 70 74 71, Katja Pogacar (SVN) 71 72 71 74, Liz Young (ENG) 68 73 72 75, Sara Kjellker (SWE) 70 73 70 75
289 – Lydia Hall (WAL) 71 76 70 72, Lora Assad 73 73 70 73, Emily Penttila (FIN) 72 72 73 72, Madelene Stavnar (NOR) 70 71 77 71, Sofie Bringner (SWE) 74 72 73 70
290 – Sanna Nuutinen (FIN) 71 75 70 74, Moa Folke (SWE) 75 72 71 72, April Angurasaranee (THA) 72 71 71 76, Romy Meekers (NED) 70 74 74 72, Celine Herbin (FRA) 70 76 73 71, Anne-Charlotte Mora (FRA) 76 71 74 69
291 – Amy Taylor (ENG) 73 75 70 73, Alexandra Swayne (ISV) 69 79 71 72, Emma Grechi (FRA) 74 74 71 72, Julie Boysen Hillestad (NOR) 67 73 71 80
292 – Carolin Kauffmann (GER) 71 71 74 76, Olivia Mehaffey (NIR) 79 68 74 71
293 – Stacy Bregman 72 71 73 77, Nastasia Nadaud (FRA) 68 76 71 78, Mireia Prat (ESP) 70 75 73 75, Lily May Humphreys (ENG) 73 69 76 75, Hannah Screen (ENG) 71 73 70 79, Laura Fuenfstueck (GER) 76 70 73 74, Genevieve Ling (MAS) 73 75 75 70
294 – Alice Hewson (ENG) 74 74 70 76, Gemma Clews (ENG) 74 68 77 75
295 – Danielle du Toit 74 70 74 77, Christine Wolf (AUT) 69 74 76 76, Aunchisa Utama (THA) 70 74 79 72
296 – Tiffany Arafi (SUI) 73 73 74 76
297 – Tara Griebenow 75 72 76 74
299 – Fernanda Lira (MEX) 75 70 75 79, Shannon Tan (SIN) 69 78 78 74
300 – Tereza Melecka (CZE) 77 71 73 79, Lee-Anne Pace 68 79 77 76, Georgina Blackman (ENG) 76 72 77 75
303 – Kylie Henry (SCO) 71 77 76 79
Missed the cut:-
149 – Laura Beveridge (SCO) 71 78, Elin Arvidsson (SWE) 70 79, Bonita Bredenhann (NAM) 72 77, Emie Peronnin (FRA) 76 73, Luna Sobron Galmes (ESP) 72 77, Nadia van der Westhuizen 76 73
150 – Maha Haddioui (MAR) 71 79, Carmen Alonso (ESP) 75 75, Linnea Johansson (SWE) 76 74, Tandi McCallum 75 75, Tiia Koivisto (FIN) 77 73, Verena Gimmy (GER) 72 78, Agathe Sauzon (FRA) 69 81, Vani Kapoor (IND) 75 75
151 – Ridhima Dilawari (IND) 74 77, Sara Kouskova (CZE) 74 77, Sophie Witt (GER) 75 76, Camille Chevalier (FRA) 75 76, Isabella van Rooyen 76 75, Florentyna Parker (ENG) 77 74, Lejan Lewthwaite 75 76, Elena Hualde (ESP) 73 78, Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) 78 73, Paz Marfa Sans (ESP) 78 73, Pasqualle Coffa (NED) 76 75, Marta Sanz Barrio (ESP) 74 77
152 – Zethu Myeki 79 73, Tvesa Malik (IND) 76 76, Corinne Viden (SWE) 75 77, Kelsey Macdonald (SCO) 76 76, Marianne Skarpnord (NOR) 75 77
153 – Cara Gorlei 75 78, Lauren Taylor (ENG) 73 80, Leonie Harm (GER) 75 78, Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG) 78 75, Ana Dawson (IMN) 78 75
154 – Lauren Walsh (IRL) 78 76, Marta Martin (ESP) 79 75
155 – Laura Sluman (PAN) 77 78, Ivanna Samu 73 82, Thalia Martin (ENG) 76 79, Elina Nummenpaa (FIN) 81 74, Maria Hernandez (ESP) 74 81
156 – Dorota Zalewska (POL) 81 75
157 – Gabrielle Venter 78 79, Maiken Bing Paulsen (NOR) 72 85, Michelle Forsland (NOR) 78 79
158 – Kelsey Nicholas 77 81, Teresa Diez Moliner (ESP) 78 80, Lisa Coetzer (a) 77 81, Kyra van Kan (a) 79 79
159 – Katherine Muzi (USA) 80 79
161 – Helen Kreuzer (GER) 77 84
187 – Ellandri van Heerden (a) 95 92
RTD – Kiera Floyd 79 RTD

De Roey chasing Investec SA Women’s Open glory

SOMERSET WEST, Western Cape – Belgium’s Manon De Roey will take a three-stroke lead into Sunday’s final round of the Investec South African Women’s Open at the Erinvale Country and Golf Estate.

De Roey signed for a 66 on Saturday as she climbed to 14 under par. Her nearest challenger is Morocco’s Ines Laklalech whose 65 carried her to 11 under par.

South Africa’s Nicole Garcia surged through the field with an impressive eight-under-par 64, lifting her to seven under par overall.

De Roey showed tremendous composure on a day of shifting conditions in the wind and where she had to withstand a few runs at her lead

“When I saw the leaderboard on 13 I suddenly realised, ‘Ok, people are moving’. So I decided to start moving myself. But I tried to stay patient all day. I created chances for myself and I played solid all day. I thought it was going to be more windy and to be honest I prefer the wind because I can shape the ball more. But I just picked my targets and lines and tried to commit to every shot,” said De Roey.

Her most dominant stretch came on the back nine where she made five birdies in six holes to distance herself from the field.

“I hit it quite close in that stretch of holes. It felt like every putt I looked at I saw the line straight away and felt good about every putt.”

De Roey has had a strong season thus far with several top-10s on the Ladies European Tour and now finds herself chasing one of the most historic titles in South African women’s golf.

“I’m really looking forward to the final round. I’ve been playing quite solid all year. I’ll just keep doing what I’ve been doing the last two days, make some putts and we’ll see what happens.”

As her nearest challenger, Lacklalech kept herself in touch of the lead for most of the round before a double bogey on 17.

“It was a really nice round. That kind of round where everything clicked. You don’t think too much and the putting felt good. I also played with really nice people so had a really nice day. But on 17, I was in one of those deep greenside bunkers. It was close to the face so I wasn’t sure if my ball was going to come out and I put too much speed on the shot. But I’m feeling great. The game feels good,” she said.

And Garcia has her own target as the leading South African looking for a strong finish on home fairways.

“We’ll see what the weather brings on Sunday. This tournament is so special. It’s one of the oldest women’s tournaments in our country and you have so many big names that have won it before, so to have a chance to join that group of names and leave a legacy is something special.” – Michael Vlismas.

SCORES:

202 – Manon De Roey (BEL) 69 67 66
205 – Ines Laklalech (MAR) 70 70 65
206 – Lisa Pettersson (SWE) 68 71 67
207 – Momoka Kobori (NZL) 69 70 68
208 – Gabriella Cowley (ENG) 69 72 67, Rosie Davies (ENG) 66 71 71
209 – Nicole Garcia 76 69 64, Kim Metraux (SUI) 70 71 68, Eleanor Givens (ENG) 69 71 69
210 – Hannah Burke (ENG) 68 72 70
211 – Sarah Schober (AUT) 70 76 65, Kristyna Napoleaova (CZE) 71 75 65, Jana Melichova (CZE) 69 74 68, Elena Moosmann (SUI) 66 75 70, Julie Boysen Hillestad (NOR) 67 73 71
212 – Patricia Isabel Schmidt (GER) 71 71 70
213 – Sara Kjellker (SWE) 70 73 70, Liz Young (ENG) 68 73 72
214 – Emma Spitz (AUT) 73 75 66, Casandra Alexander 73 75 66, Hannah Screen (ENG) 71 73 70, Bronte Law (ENG) 68 76 70, Katja Pogacar (SVN) 71 72 71, April Angurasaranee (THA) 72 71 71
215 – Dorthea Forbrigd (NOR) 72 73 70, Nastasia Nadaud (FRA) 68 76 71, Caroline Hedwall (SWE) 71 73 71, Annabell Fuller (ENG) 68 71 76
216 – Lora Assad 73 73 70, Sanna Nuutinen (FIN) 71 75 70, Sofie Kibsgaard (DEN) 73 72 71, Virginia Elena Carta (ITA) 70 74 72, Stacy Bregman 72 71 73, Carolin Kauffmann (GER) 71 71 74
217 – Lydia Hall (WAL) 71 76 70, Chiara Tamburlini (SUI) 70 75 72, Emily Penttila (FIN) 72 72 73, Diksha Dagar (IND) 73 70 74
218 – Amy Taylor (ENG) 73 75 70, Alice Hewson (ENG) 74 74 70, Moa Folke (SWE) 75 72 71, Mireia Prat (ESP) 70 75 73, Danielle du Toit 74 70 74, Romy Meekers (NED) 70 74 74, Lily May Humphreys (ENG) 73 69 76, Madelene Stavnar (NOR) 70 71 77
219 – Alexandra Swayne (ISV) 69 79 71, Emma Grechi (FRA) 74 74 71, Sofie Bringner (SWE) 74 72 73, Laura Fuenfstueck (GER) 76 70 73, Celine Herbin (FRA) 70 76 73, Christine Wolf (AUT) 69 74 76, Gemma Clews (ENG) 74 68 77
220 – Tiffany Arafi (SUI) 73 73 74, Fernanda Lira (MEX) 75 70 75
221 – Tereza Melecka (CZE) 77 71 73, Anne-Charlotte Mora (FRA) 76 71 74, Olivia Mehaffey (NIR) 79 68 74
223 – Genevieve Ling (MAS) 73 75 75, Tara Griebenow 75 72 76, Aunchisa Utama (THA) 70 74 79
224 – Kylie Henry (SCO) 71 77 76, Lee-Anne Pace 68 79 77
225 – Georgina Blackman (ENG) 76 72 77, Shannon Tan (SIN) 69 78 78
Missed the cut:-
149 – Laura Beveridge (SCO) 71 78, Elin Arvidsson (SWE) 70 79, Bonita Bredenhann (NAM) 72 77, Emie Peronnin (FRA) 76 73, Luna Sobron Galmes (ESP) 72 77, Nadia van der Westhuizen 76 73
150 – Maha Haddioui (MAR) 71 79, Carmen Alonso (ESP) 75 75, Linnea Johansson (SWE) 76 74, Tandi McCallum 75 75, Tiia Koivisto (FIN) 77 73, Verena Gimmy (GER) 72 78, Agathe Sauzon (FRA) 69 81, Vani Kapoor (IND) 75 75
151 – Ridhima Dilawari (IND) 74 77, Sara Kouskova (CZE) 74 77, Sophie Witt (GER) 75 76, Camille Chevalier (FRA) 75 76, Isabella van Rooyen 76 75, Florentyna Parker (ENG) 77 74, Lejan Lewthwaite 75 76, Elena Hualde (ESP) 73 78, Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) 78 73, Paz Marfa Sans (ESP) 78 73, Pasqualle Coffa (NED) 76 75, Marta Sanz Barrio (ESP) 74 77
152 – Zethu Myeki 79 73, Tvesa Malik (IND) 76 76, Corinne Viden (SWE) 75 77, Kelsey Macdonald (SCO) 76 76, Marianne Skarpnord (NOR) 75 77
153 – Cara Gorlei 75 78, Lauren Taylor (ENG) 73 80, Leonie Harm (GER) 75 78, Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG) 78 75, Ana Dawson (IMN) 78 75
154 – Lauren Walsh (IRL) 78 76, Marta Martin (ESP) 79 75
155 – Laura Sluman (PAN) 77 78, Ivanna Samu 73 82, Thalia Martin (ENG) 76 79, Elina Nummenpaa (FIN) 81 74, Maria Hernandez (ESP) 74 81
156 – Dorota Zalewska (POL) 81 75
157 – Gabrielle Venter 78 79, Maiken Bing Paulsen (NOR) 72 85, Michelle Forsland (NOR) 78 79
158 – Kelsey Nicholas 77 81, Teresa Diez Moliner (ESP) 78 80, Lisa Coetzer (a) 77 81, Kyra van Kan (a) 79 79
159 – Katherine Muzi (USA) 80 79
161 – Helen Kreuzer (GER) 77 84
187 – Ellandri van Heerden (a) 95 92
RTD – Kiera Floyd 79 RTD

Entrance is free for spectators, with free parking at Lourensford Wine Estate.
The tournament is also being televised live on SuperSport 213 from Thursday to Sunday.

De Roey battles wind to lead Investec SA Women’s Open

SOMERSET WEST, Western Cape – On a day when the clouds came billowing over the Helderberg mountain range and gusts of wind ripped across the fairways of the Erinvale Country and Golf Estate, Belgium’s Manon De Roey held her nerve and produced a magnificent five-under-par 67 to lead the Investec South African Women’s Open heading into the weekend.

De Roey came through a challenging day at the top of the leaderdboard on eight under par overall, one stroke clear of England’s Rosie Davies who signed for a 71. Stacy Bregman is the leading South African on one under par in this Sunshine Ladies Tour and Ladies European Tour co-sanctioned tournament.

De Roey certainly showed no signs of being at all intimidated by the windy conditions as she birdied three of her first four holes.

“In that start I was trying to putt without the gusts. You could hear them coming so I tried to time it between the gusts. Some of those birdies were long putts and unexpected but I’ll take them,” said De Roey, who has had a strong season thus far with four top-10s in her last eight tournaments. She came into this week with a fifth-place finish in the Joburg Ladies Open.

But it was a tournament in Saudi Arabia earlier this year which she says may have given her the edge at Erinvale on Friday.

“It was really tough out there, but I had something similar at the beginning of the year in a tournament in Saudi Arabia, which was also very windy. So maybe that helped me for this week. I just tried to stay patient and pick my lines off the tee well, and have the wind as my friend.

“When it’s windy like this I feel like I’m always more focused. You just have to stay patient because I know it’s possible to shoot low scores in wind like this. Maybe I need the wind on the weekend.”

Just one shot behind her, England’s Davies was equally delighted to have come through a tough day with a shot at one of the most historic titles in South African women’s golf.

“Starting my round on the back nine with the wind at its peak was tough. I just kept my head down and focusing on the next shot. I dropped shots on the back nine but I’d told myself I was probably going to face some adversity today and how I respond to that is what I need to focus on,” she said.

And Davies certainly responded well after those dropped shots as she closed out her round with three straight birdies.

“It was an exhausting day and that finish has given me a bit of energy. I’m excited for the weekend now. We’ll probably get more wind so anything can happen out there. I’ll just keep my head down and see where we end up on Sunday.” – Michael Vlismas.

SCORES:

136 – Manon De Roey (BEL) 69 67
137 – Rosie Davies (ENG) 66 71
139 – Lisa Pettersson (SWE) 68 71, Annabell Fuller (ENG) 68 71, Momoka Kobori (NZL) 69 70
140 – Hannah Burke (ENG) 68 72, Ines Laklalech (MAR) 70 70, Julie Boysen Hillestad (NOR) 67 73, Eleanor Givens (ENG) 69 71
141 – Kim Metraux (SUI) 70 71, Gabriella Cowley (ENG) 69 72, Liz Young (ENG) 68 73, Madelene Stavnar (NOR) 70 71, Elena Moosmann (SUI) 66 75
142 – Lily May Humphreys (ENG) 73 69, Gemma Clews (ENG) 74 68, Patricia Isabel Schmidt (GER) 71 71, Carolin Kauffmann (GER) 71 71
143 – Jana Melichova (CZE) 69 74, Sara Kjellker (SWE) 70 73, April Angurasaranee (THA) 72 71, Diksha Dagar (IND) 73 70, Katja Pogacar (SVN) 71 72, Stacy Bregman 72 71, Christine Wolf (AUT) 69 74
144 – Caroline Hedwall (SWE) 71 73, Nastasia Nadaud (FRA) 68 76, Bronte Law (ENG) 68 76, Hannah Screen (ENG) 71 73, Virginia Elena Carta (ITA) 70 74, Romy Meekers (NED) 70 74, Emily Penttila (FIN) 72 72, Aunchisa Utama (THA) 70 74, Danielle du Toit 74 70
145 – Mireia Prat (ESP) 70 75, Fernanda Lira (MEX) 75 70, Dorthea Forbrigd (NOR) 72 73, Sofie Kibsgaard (DEN) 73 72, Chiara Tamburlini (SUI) 70 75, Nicole Garcia 76 69
146 – Celine Herbin (FRA) 70 76, Sanna Nuutinen (FIN) 71 75, Tiffany Arafi (SUI) 73 73, Laura Fuenfstueck (GER) 76 70, Sofie Bringner (SWE) 74 72, Kristyna Napoleaova (CZE) 71 75, Sarah Schober (AUT) 70 76, Lora Assad 73 73
147 – Olivia Mehaffey (NIR) 79 68, Lee-Anne Pace 68 79, Shannon Tan (SIN) 69 78, Anne-Charlotte Mora (FRA) 76 71, Moa Folke (SWE) 75 72, Lydia Hall (WAL) 71 76, Tara Griebenow 75 72
148 – Tereza Melecka (CZE) 77 71, Genevieve Ling (MAS) 73 75, Alice Hewson (ENG) 74 74, Casandra Alexander 73 75, Emma Grechi (FRA) 74 74, Amy Taylor (ENG) 73 75, Alexandra Swayne (ISV) 69 79, Georgina Blackman (ENG) 76 72, Kylie Henry (SCO) 71 77, Emma Spitz (AUT) 73 75
Missed the cut:-
149 – Laura Beveridge (SCO) 71 78, Elin Arvidsson (SWE) 70 79, Bonita Bredenhann (NAM) 72 77, Emie Peronnin (FRA) 76 73, Luna Sobron Galmes (ESP) 72 77, Nadia van der Westhuizen 76 73
150 – Maha Haddioui (MAR) 71 79, Carmen Alonso (ESP) 75 75, Linnea Johansson (SWE) 76 74, Tandi McCallum 75 75, Tiia Koivisto (FIN) 77 73, Verena Gimmy (GER) 72 78, Agathe Sauzon (FRA) 69 81, Pasqualle Coffa (NED) 76 74, Vani Kapoor (IND) 75 75
151 – Ridhima Dilawari (IND) 74 77, Sara Kouskova (CZE) 74 77, Sophie Witt (GER) 75 76, Camille Chevalier (FRA) 75 76, Isabella van Rooyen 76 75, Florentyna Parker (ENG) 77 74, Lejan Lewthwaite 75 76, Elena Hualde (ESP) 73 78, Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) 78 73, Paz Marfa Sans (ESP) 78 73, Marta Sanz Barrio (ESP) 74 77
152 – Zethu Myeki 79 73, Tvesa Malik (IND) 76 76, Corinne Viden (SWE) 75 77, Kelsey Macdonald (SCO) 76 76, Marianne Skarpnord (NOR) 75 77
153 – Cara Gorlei 75 78, Lauren Taylor (ENG) 73 80, Leonie Harm (GER) 75 78, Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG) 78 75, Ana Dawson (IMN) 78 75
154 – Lauren Walsh (IRL) 78 76, Marta Martin (ESP) 79 75
155 – Laura Sluman (PAN) 77 78, Ivanna Samu 73 82, Thalia Martin (ENG) 76 79, Elina Nummenpaa (FIN) 81 74, Maria Hernandez (ESP) 74 81
156 – Dorota Zalewska (POL) 81 75
157 – Gabrielle Venter 78 79, Maiken Bing Paulsen (NOR) 72 85, Michelle Forsland (NOR) 78 79
158 – Kelsey Nicholas 77 81, Teresa Diez Moliner (ESP) 78 80, Lisa Coetzer (a) 77 81, Kyra van Kan (a) 79 79
159 – Katherine Muzi (USA) 80 79
161 – Helen Kreuzer (GER) 77 84
187 – Ellandri van Heerden (a) 95 92
RTD – Kiera Floyd 79 RTD

Entrance is free for spectators, with free parking at Lourensford Wine Estate.
The tournament is also being televised live on SuperSport 213 from Thursday to Sunday.

Euro duo share lead in Investec SA Women’s Open

SOMERSET WEST, Western Cape – A week ago Elena Moosmann watched her good friend Chiara Tamburlini win her maiden title on the Sunshine Ladies Tour and Ladies European Tour, and it inspired her to claim a share of the lead in Thursday’s first round of the Investec South African Women’s Open at the Erinvale Country and Golf Estate.

On a windy day in the winelands, Moosmann signed for a six-under-par 66 to share the lead with England’s Rosie Davies as they both finished one stroke clear of Norway’s Julie Boysen Hillestad.

Lee-Anne Pace is the leading South African on four under as she continues her quest for a record sixth Investec South African Women’s Open title. Ladies European Tour number one Bronte Law also finished the first round on four under par.

Moosmann was one of the few to post a bogey-free round on Thursday and played with the confidence she says she gained from seeing her friend Tamburlini win last week’s Joburg Ladies Open.

“It definitely inspired me to see Chiara up there and winning. I play a lot of golf with her and our games are more or less at the same level, so to see her win makes your realise it’s possible for us,” said Moosmann.

“I felt good all day and used my chances. My drives were really good and I hit a lot of fairways, and my putter was hot for the birdie chances I gave myself. I love it here. The views are amazing, and the course is in great condition.”

Her co-leader Davies started the day with a bogey and then reeled off three consecutive birdies as she took advantage of the calmer morning conditions.

“Some say the best rounds start with a bogey,” she said.

“We definitely had the better weather conditions and it was nice and calm in the morning. I was thinking about posting a good score while everybody else has to battle the afternoon wind. I’ve been playing much better than I’ve been scoring. I missed the cut in Joburg which was disappointing, but I had a call with my coach and we said I just need to stay patient this week and see what happens.”

Davies took her own inspiration from an Erinvale course she says ranks amongst the best on the Ladies European Tour.

“The golf course is stunning. It’s probably amongst the best conditioned we play on Tour. South Africa as a whole is incredible. We love coming here.”

SCORES:

66 – Rosie Davies (ENG), Elena Moosmann (SUI)
67 – Julie Boysen Hillestad (NOR)
68 – Annabell Fuller (ENG), Lee-Anne Pace, Hannah Burke (ENG), Liz Young (ENG), Bronte Law (ENG), Nastasia Nadaud (FRA), Lisa Pettersson (SWE)
69 – Alexandra Swayne (ISV), Gabriella Cowley (ENG), Shannon Tan (SIN), Manon De Roey (BEL), Eleanor Givens (ENG), Agathe Sauzon (FRA), Christine Wolf (AUT), Momoka Kobori (NZL), Jana Melichova (CZE)
70 – Kim Metraux (SUI), Romy Meekers (NED), Chiara Tamburlini (SUI), Aunchisa Utama (THA), Ines Laklalech (MAR), Madelene Stavnar (NOR), Sarah Schober (AUT), Sara Kjellker (SWE), Celine Herbin (FRA), Mireia Prat (ESP), Elin Arvidsson (SWE), Virginia Elena Carta (ITA)
71 – Katja Pogacar (SVN), Patricia Isabel Schmidt (GER), Kylie Henry (SCO), Kristyna Napoleaova (CZE), Lydia Hall (WAL), Carolin Kauffmann (GER), Laura Beveridge (SCO), Caroline Hedwall (SWE), Maha Haddioui (MAR), Hannah Screen (ENG), Sanna Nuutinen (FIN)
72 – Emily Penttila (FIN), Verena Gimmy (GER), Stacy Bregman, Luna Sobron Galmes (ESP), April Angurasaranee (THA), Dorthea Forbrigd (NOR), Bonita Bredenhann (NAM), Maiken Bing Paulsen (NOR)
73 – Tiffany Arafi (SUI), Emma Spitz (AUT), Lora Assad, Genevieve Ling (MAS), Diksha Dagar (IND), Lily May Humphreys (ENG), Casandra Alexander, Lauren Taylor (ENG), Ivanna Samu, Amy Taylor (ENG), Sofie Kibsgaard (DEN), Elena Hualde (ESP)
74 – Gemma Clews (ENG), Sofie Bringner (SWE), Danielle du Toit, Marta Sanz Barrio (ESP), Ridhima Dilawari (IND), Sara Kouskova (CZE), Alice Hewson (ENG), Emma Grechi (FRA), Maria Hernandez (ESP)
75 – Leonie Harm (GER), Moa Folke (SWE), Marianne Skarpnord (NOR), Vani Kapoor (IND), Tara Griebenow, Cara Gorlei, Sophie Witt (GER), Fernanda Lira (MEX), Carmen Alonso (ESP), Camille Chevalier (FRA), Corinne Viden (SWE), Tandi McCallum, Lejan Lewthwaite
76 – Emie Peronnin (FRA), Georgina Blackman (ENG), Laura Fuenfstueck (GER), Kelsey Macdonald (SCO), Nicole Garcia, Nadia van der Westhuizen, Anne-Charlotte Mora (FRA), Pasqualle Coffa (NED), Linnea Johansson (SWE), Tvesa Malik (IND), Isabella van Rooyen, Tiia Koivisto (FIN), Thalia Martin (ENG)
77 – Helen Kreuzer (GER), Tereza Melecka (CZE), Kelsey Nicholas, Laura Sluman (PAN), Florentyna Parker (ENG), Lisa Coetzer (a)
78 – Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA), Paz Marfa Sans (ESP), Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG), Michelle Forsland (NOR), Ana Dawson (IMN), Teresa Diez Moliner (ESP), Lauren Walsh (IRL), Gabrielle Venter
79 – Marta Martin (ESP), Kyra van Kan (a), Zethu Myeki, Kiera Floyd, Olivia Mehaffey (NIR)
80 – Katherine Muzi (USA)
81 – Dorota Zalewska (POL), Elina Nummenpaa (FIN)
95 – Ellandri van Heerden (a)

Entrance is free for spectators, with free parking at Lourensford Wine Estate.
The tournament is also being televised live on SuperSport 213 from Thursday to Sunday.

European number one Law makes Investec SA Women’s Open debut

SOMERSET WEST, Western Cape – Ladies European Tour number one Bronte Law will make her debut in the Investec South African Women’s Open at the Erinvale Country & Golf Estate this week and headlines a quality field set to tee off in Thursday’s first round of this €320 000 event.

England’s Law adds to a field which includes five former Investec South African Women’s Open champions with South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace and Tandi McCallum, England’s Alice Hewson, India’s Diksha Dagar and Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord.

Swiss star Chiara Tamburlini is also in the field following her runaway seven-shot victory in the Joburg Ladies Open last week and which has carried her into second place on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit. And Cara Gorlei tees it up as the leading South African on the Sunshine Ladies Tour’s Investec Order of Merit in second place.

All of which sets up a highly competitive week for Law’s first appearance in South Africa in this Sunshine Ladies Tour co-sanctioned tournament.

“I’ve always wanted to come to South Africa and I’m really enjoying it so far,” said Law. “It’s always fun to play in national Opens around the world and now I can tick this one off the list. There is also a lot of new young talent playing this week which is great.”

Law has already had one victory and three top-10s on the Ladies European Tour this year and is hoping to continue with that form in the Western Cape this week.

“I really like the golf course and I think it will be a good test. I’m happy with where my game is at and I’ll just go out there this week and continue to push on,” she said.

The Investec South African Women’s Open is the grand finale on the Sunshine Ladies Tour’s current season and a true showcase of the strides made in women’s sport in South Africa. This year’s tournament includes a significant R1 million prize for the first professional to score a hole-in-one on the par-three 12th hole in the final two rounds. It also adds significantly to the City of Cape Town’s showcasing of leading women’s sports events.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the cream of women’s golf from around the world to the Mother City for the 2024 Investec South African Women’s Open,” said Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor of Cape Town.

“This year’s global field promises to put on an unforgettable show and I urge every golf lover in and around Cape Town to make their way to Somerset West at some point over the four days of play to catch some of the live action.

“Not only is hosting this important golf event great for the sport here in Cape Town, and for its development and growth among a new generation of aspiring golf stars, it is also a wonderful opportunity to show our beautiful city and surrounds to the world. And of course, an event of this status means the world to our local economy and the jobs it helps create. We are proud to co-sponsor this flagship golf event, and I wish all the participants a great four days on the beautiful Erinvale fairways.”

Entrance is free for spectators, with free parking at Lourensford Wine Estate. The tournament will also be televised live on SuperSport 213 from Thursday to Sunday. – Michael Vlismas

Legendary South African women’s professional Sally Little with young golfers from the Sally Little Centre for Excellence and The Imibala Trust at the Investec South African Women’s Open
golf clinic on Wednesday. Credit: Sunshine Ladies Tour.

Extraordinary takes Drive

“Covid was a turning point for me and the start of
my return to fullness and life.”

Investec-sponsored professional golfer Danielle du Toit tells her powerful story of redemption – from overcoming personal struggles in life to securing her Ladies European Tour card.
 
Du Toit will join an international field competing in this week’s Investec South African Women’s Open at Erinvale Country & Golf Estate from 25-28 April

By Danielle du Toit

I was lying on the grass under a Jacaranda tree at Pretoria Country Club waiting for the group in front of me. And that’s when I realised, in that moment, that I was put on this earth to play professional golf. But also more than this. I was put here to remind others that your worth is so much more than what you can do or give. There is so much more to life than that.

For years, I never believed that.

I always succeeded in everything I tackled at school. Then when I went to play college golf in the United States, my golf suddenly took a downturn. I realised that the way I had approached golf and my life was from a base of fear. And because my value had been so tied up in my golf, I started to question what I’m good for. I thought, if I can’t play golf, then I’m worth nothing.

Then Covid happened and everything shut down. During this time I got to the point where I clicked that I had real value, regardless of how well I played golf or the success or failure I had. That was a turning point for me and the start of my return to fullness and life.

I went back to college and finished off there. In my fifth year there we had a new coach and he helped me to find my passion for the game again.

When I got back from the United States last year, my golf wasn’t where I wanted it to be. But I worked hard and went from almost not being able to break 80 to getting my Ladies European Tour card. I still don’t know how that happened. So many good things happened to me. I made the cut by one shot to get through to the Final Stage of the Qualifying School. Then I made it on the last number there to get my full card. I had to shoot 16 under par in three rounds to get my card.

I sat down to do my planning and suddenly realised there was no way I had the money to travel to all these tournaments.

I knew Investec is so committed to women’s golf in South Africa, with a long history of supporting the Sunshine Ladies Tour – which thanks to them now offers the biggest prize purse in southern Africa, the Investec South African Women’s Open, Investec Order of Merit and the Investec Homegrown Award – and it is such an iconic homegrown brand. So I sent Peta Dixon, the head of sponsorships at Investec, an email. She was out of the office traveling, but a month later I received an email back from her saying, “We’ve been watching you from last year already.” And they got behind me.

Investec has been such a blessing. Their brand is so strong and aligns so well with everything I believe regarding growth and support, and giving opportunities to people.

About Investec
Investec partners with private, institutional, and corporate clients, offering international banking, investments, and wealth management services in two principal markets, South Africa, and the UK, as well as certain other countries. The Group was established in 1974 and currently has 7,400+ employees. Investec has a dual listed company structure with primary listings on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges.

Investec sponsored player social media handles
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Tamburlini marches to record win in Joburg Ladies Open

JOHANNESBURG – Even at five feet tall, Chiara Tamburlini stood like a giant over this year’s Joburg Ladies Open as the Swiss professional claimed a record seven-shot victory in this Sunshine Ladies Tour and Ladies European Tour event at Modderfontein Golf Club on Sunday.

Starting the final round with a commanding six-shot lead, Tamburlini was never under pressure as she closed with a 70 to win on 17 under par and record the largest margin of victory in the 10-year history of the tournament. The previous best was Ashleigh Buhai’s six-shot triumph in the inaugural Joburg Ladies Open in 2015.

It was Tamburlini’s first victory on the Sunshine Ladies Tour and Ladies European Tour and a clear sign of a star in the making, with the 24-year-old having only turned professional in August last year and claiming victory in only her seventh Ladies European Tour start.

“It was a special day today, especially being able to win by such a big margin,” said Tamburlini. “I definitely dreamt of this day but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. But the more you work towards your dreams the sooner you’re able to achieve them.”

Thailand’s Aunchisa Utama took second place on 10 under par with a final round of 71, while Nicole Garcia finished as the leading South African in fifth place on eight under par following a final round of 70.

But this was indeed a masterclass by Tamburlini as she built on her overnight lead with two birdies to start. Despite her sizeable lead, which at one point was as much as 10 shots, she continued to play aggressive golf which gave her the luxury of being able to drop three shots on her final two holes and still claim victory.

“It felt great starting off with two birdies, but I just tried to keep pushing because it’s never over till it’s over. I told myself I can celebrate once it’s done and sealed. It’s so many emotions and joy from all the hard work and all the people who have supported me.”

The tournament also wrapped up a strong commitment by the City of Joburg to support its young girls in need through the Birdies4Dignity campaign, in collaboration with Spar. Every birdie made by a professional golfer during the tournament translated into the donation of a dignity hamper, with 300 hampers donated to girl learners at Bramley Primary School.

“I think this is a very important moment for us to ensure that whatever we do we also elevate women in our sporting activities. It’s been a wonderful four days,” said Cllr Loyiso Masuku, MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services.

The Sunshine Ladies Tour and Ladies European Tour travels to the Western Cape this week for the Investec South African Women’s Open at the Erinvale Country & Golf Estate. – Michael Vlismas

SCORES:

275 – Chiara Tamburlini (SUI) 70 68 67 70
282 – Aunchisa Utama (THA) 69 71 71 71
283 – Diksha Dagar (IND) 73 71 69 70, Luna Sobron Galmes (ESP) 71 73 68 71
284 – Manon De Roey (BEL) 71 71 73 69, Nicole Garcia 71 72 71 70, Tereza Melecka (CZE) 72 69 71 72
285 – Laura Sluman (PAN) 75 69 69 72
286 – April Angurasaranee (THA) 67 76 71 72
287 – Sanna Nuutinen (FIN) 73 71 74 69, Hannah Screen (ENG) 70 74 73 70, Nadia van der Westhuizen 69 68 77 73
288 – Agathe Sauzon (FRA) 75 71 71 71, Casandra Alexander 73 73 71 71, Shannon Tan (SIN) 69 72 73 74
289 – Madelene Stavnar (NOR) 75 71 73 70, Kim Metraux (SUI) 70 74 74 71, Maha Haddioui (MAR) 74 73 71 71, Virginia Elena Carta (ITA) 73 76 68 72, Ana Pelaez Trivino (ESP) 73 72 71 73
290 – Lydia Hall (WAL) 70 76 73 71, Nina Pegova (WHT) 77 70 74 69, Sara Kjellker (SWE) 71 74 76 69, Sara Kouskova (CZE) 75 73 68 74, Laura Fuenfstueck (GER) 69 73 73 75
291 – Liz Young (ENG) 70 77 73 71, Moa Folke (SWE) 72 72 73 74, Gabriella Cowley (ENG) 74 72 70 75
292 – Teresa Diez Moliner (ESP) 77 69 74 72, Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) 73 71 75 73, Tvesa Malik (IND) 71 75 72 74
293 – Ivanna Samu 76 72 72 73, Linnea Johansson (SWE) 75 74 69 75, Eleanor Givens (ENG) 71 72 74 76
294 – Lee-Anne Pace 74 72 74 74, Danielle du Toit 75 74 70 75, Stacy Bregman 72 77 68 77, Leonie Harm (GER) 74 77 71 72, Lora Assad 76 73 75 70, Verena Gimmy (GER) 69 74 72 79
295 – Alexandra Swayne (ISV) 69 77 75 74, Emma Grechi (FRA) 71 77 73 74, Emily Penttila (FIN) 70 78 73 74, Ayako Uehara (JPN) 75 73 70 77, Lauren Walsh (IRL) 73 76 72 74, Emily Price (ENG) 73 77 71 74, Vani Kapoor (IND) 76 75 70 74, Genevieve Ling (MAS) 74 77 73 71, Katherine Muzi (USA) 75 73 77 70
296 – Marta Martin (ESP) 75 75 70 76, Dorthea Forbrigd (NOR) 75 76 70 75
297 – Tiffany Arafi (SUI) 73 74 73 77, Patricia Isabel Schmidt (GER) 74 77 71 75, Kristyna Napoleaova (CZE) 75 72 76 74, Hannah Burke (ENG) 81 70 73 73, Annabell Fuller (ENG) 74 74 77 72, Camille Chevalier (FRA) 70 76 79 72
298 – Michelle Forsland (NOR) 71 75 73 79, Jana Melichova (CZE) 70 74 77 77, Paz Marfa Sans (ESP) 77 72 75 74
299 – Anne-Charlotte Mora (FRA) 72 76 75 76, Pasqualle Coffa (NED) 74 72 77 76, Celine Herbin (FRA) 75 76 74 74
302 – Alice Hewson (ENG) 74 77 74 77, Sofie Kibsgaard (DEN) 73 78 79 72
303 – Dorota Zalewska (POL) 75 74 73 81, Ridhima Dilawari (IND) 73 78 73 79, Linda Osala (FIN) 73 78 77 75
304 – Laura Beveridge (SCO) 76 74 77 77, Isabella van Rooyen 71 80 78 75
305 – Brittney-Fay Berger 72 76 81 76
Missed the cut:-
152 – Clara Young (SCO) 74 78, Carolin Kauffmann (GER) 76 76, Christine Wolf (AUT) 77 75, Elena Moosmann (SUI) 76 76, Florentyna Parker (ENG) 74 78, Lejan Lewthwaite 78 74, Bonita Bredenhann (NAM) 73 79, Maria Hernandez (ESP) 74 78, Georgina Blackman (ENG) 75 77, Cara Gorlei 79 73, Cecilie Finne-Ipsen (DEN) 74 78, Tiia Koivisto (FIN) 75 77
153 – Jane Turner (SCO) 75 78, Marta Sanz Barrio (ESP) 79 74, Emie Peronnin (FRA) 78 75, Elin Arvidsson (SWE) 76 77, Lisa Pettersson (SWE) 74 79, Tandi McCallum 76 77, Kiera Floyd 76 77
154 – Ana Dawson (IMN) 75 79, Marianne Skarpnord (NOR) 77 77, Elena Hualde (ESP) 79 75, Corinne Viden (SWE) 76 78
155 – Momoka Kobori (NZL) 74 81, Rosie Davies (ENG) 79 76, Sofie Bringner (SWE) 73 82, Helen Kreuzer (GER) 74 81, Fernanda Lira (MEX) 78 77
156 – Katja Pogacar (SVN) 78 78, Romy Meekers (NED) 80 76, Lauren Taylor (ENG) 76 80, Harang Lee (ESP) 76 80
157 – Vanessa Knecht (SUI) 77 80
158 – Kelsey Macdonald (SCO) 83 75, Gabrielle Venter 84 74
159 – Olivia Mehaffey (NIR) 78 81, Gia Raad (a) 76 83, Gemma Clews (ENG) 75 84, Lily May Humphreys (ENG) 80 79, Maiken Bing Paulsen (NOR) 81 78
161 – Amy Walsh (AUS) 81 80, Mireia Prat (ESP) 79 82
162 – Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG) 79 83, Julie Boysen Hillestad (NOR) 80 82
164 – Zethu Myeki 82 82
167 – Tara Griebenow 84 83
169 – Felicity Johnson (ENG) 83 86
RTD – Kylie Henry (SCO) 74 RTD RTD, Thalia Martin (ENG) 78 DSQ DSQ

From left to right: Cllr Loyiso Masuku, MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services;
Chiara Tamburlini; Bongi Mokaba, Director Event Management, City of Johannesburg.

Swiss star Tamburlini leads by six at Joburg Ladies Open

JOHANNESBURG – Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini will take a six-shot lead into Sunday’s final round of the Joburg Ladies Open after one of the newest stars in European women’s golf seized control of this Sunshine Ladies Tour and Ladies European Tour event at Modderfontein Golf Club.

Tamburlini went into Saturday’s third round just one shot off the lead of South Africa’s Nadia van der Westhuizen. But as Van Der Westhuizen struggled to make anything happen in her round of 77, the Swiss star surged ahead with a bogey-free round of six-under-par 67 to lead the field on 14 under par.

Her nearest challenger is Thailand’s Aunchisa Utama on eight under par following a third round of 71, while Spain’s Luna Sobron Galmes (68) and Czechoslovakia’s Tereza Melecka (71) are tied third on seven under par.

Van Der Westhuizen and Nicole Garcia (71) are the leading South Africans on five under par.

Tamburlini only turned professional last August but has already won twice on the LET Access Tour, the development tour for the Ladies European Tour, and showed remarkable composure in Saturday’s third round despite admitting she was nervous.

“It feels amazing. I was really nervous before the round. I texted my sister on the driving range and told her how nervous I was, and she told me to just chill. But as soon as I hit the first tee shot I felt really calm. I played really solid from start to finish and I’m really excited to go into the final round with a six-shot lead,” said Tamburlini.

Tamburlini’s growing knowledge of the Modderfontein Golf Club layout combined with a few more forgiving flag placements certainly helped her on Saturday.

“I’m getting used to the golf course now. It’s a really tricky golf course and you need to be smart off the tee. The fairways are narrow and you need to place yourself well to have shot into the green. The greens are also quite fast. But the pin placements were definitely easier today and it felt like you had a bit more room for error around the greens.”

With a commanding lead, the 24-year-old Tamburlini is taking nothing for granted as she chases a first Sunshine Ladies Tour and Ladies European Tour title on Sunday.

“The main thing for me is to just keep pushing. A six-shot lead is quite the buffer but you can never get comfortable. You never know, somebody could go eight or nine shots deep on the final day. So I’ll set my own personal goals to ensure I keep pushing and go low again on the final day.” – Michael Vlismas

SCORES:

205 – Chiara Tamburlini (SUI) 70 68 67
211 – Aunchisa Utama (THA) 69 71 71
212 – Luna Sobron Galmes (ESP) 71 73 68, Tereza Melecka (CZE) 72 69 71
213 – Laura Sluman (PAN) 75 69 69, Diksha Dagar (IND) 73 71 69
214 – April Angurasaranee (THA) 67 76 71, Nicole Garcia 71 72 71, Shannon Tan (SIN) 69 72 73, Nadia van der Westhuizen 69 68 77
215 – Verena Gimmy (GER) 69 74 72, Laura Fuenfstueck (GER) 69 73 73, Manon De Roey (BEL) 71 71 73
216 – Sara Kouskova (CZE) 75 73 68, Gabriella Cowley (ENG) 74 72 70, Ana Pelaez Trivino (ESP) 73 72 71
217 – Casandra Alexander 73 73 71, Agathe Sauzon (FRA) 75 71 71, Stacy Bregman 72 77 68, Hannah Screen (ENG) 70 74 73, Virginia Elena Carta (ITA) 73 76 68, Moa Folke (SWE) 72 72 73, Eleanor Givens (ENG) 71 72 74
218 – Maha Haddioui (MAR) 74 73 71, Tvesa Malik (IND) 71 75 72, Ayako Uehara (JPN) 75 73 70, Linnea Johansson (SWE) 75 74 69, Sanna Nuutinen (FIN) 73 71 74, Kim Metraux (SUI) 70 74 74
219 – Michelle Forsland (NOR) 71 75 73, Madelene Stavnar (NOR) 75 71 73, Lydia Hall (WAL) 70 76 73, Danielle du Toit 75 74 70, Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) 73 71 75
220 – Liz Young (ENG) 70 77 73, Teresa Diez Moliner (ESP) 77 69 74, Tiffany Arafi (SUI) 73 74 73, Ivanna Samu 76 72 72, Lee-Anne Pace 74 72 74, Marta Martin (ESP) 75 75 70
221 – Nina Pegova (WHT) 77 70 74, Alexandra Swayne (ISV) 69 77 75, Emma Grechi (FRA) 71 77 73, Emily Penttila (FIN) 70 78 73, Sara Kjellker (SWE) 71 74 76, Jana Melichova (CZE) 70 74 77, Lauren Walsh (IRL) 73 76 72, Emily Price (ENG) 73 77 71, Vani Kapoor (IND) 76 75 70, Dorthea Forbrigd (NOR) 75 76 70
222 – Dorota Zalewska (POL) 75 74 73, Patricia Isabel Schmidt (GER) 74 77 71, Leonie Harm (GER) 74 77 71
223 – Kristyna Napoleaova (CZE) 75 72 76, Anne-Charlotte Mora (FRA) 72 76 75, Pasqualle Coffa (NED) 74 72 77
224 – Paz Marfa Sans (ESP) 77 72 75, Lora Assad 76 73 75, Hannah Burke (ENG) 81 70 73, Genevieve Ling (MAS) 74 77 73, Ridhima Dilawari (IND) 73 78 73
225 – Annabell Fuller (ENG) 74 74 77, Camille Chevalier (FRA) 70 76 79, Katherine Muzi (USA) 75 73 77, Alice Hewson (ENG) 74 77 74, Celine Herbin (FRA) 75 76 74
227 – Laura Beveridge (SCO) 76 74 77
228 – Linda Osala (FIN) 73 78 77
229 – Brittney-Fay Berger 72 76 81, Isabella van Rooyen 71 80 78
230 – Sofie Kibsgaard (DEN) 73 78 79
Missed the cut:-
152 – Clara Young (SCO) 74 78, Carolin Kauffmann (GER) 76 76, Christine Wolf (AUT) 77 75, Elena Moosmann (SUI) 76 76, Florentyna Parker (ENG) 74 78, Lejan Lewthwaite 78 74, Bonita Bredenhann (NAM) 73 79, Maria Hernandez (ESP) 74 78, Georgina Blackman (ENG) 75 77, Cara Gorlei 79 73, Cecilie Finne-Ipsen (DEN) 74 78, Tiia Koivisto (FIN) 75 77
153 – Jane Turner (SCO) 75 78, Marta Sanz Barrio (ESP) 79 74, Emie Peronnin (FRA) 78 75, Elin Arvidsson (SWE) 76 77, Lisa Pettersson (SWE) 74 79, Tandi McCallum 76 77, Kiera Floyd 76 77
154 – Ana Dawson (IMN) 75 79, Marianne Skarpnord (NOR) 77 77, Elena Hualde (ESP) 79 75, Corinne Viden (SWE) 76 78
155 – Momoka Kobori (NZL) 74 81, Rosie Davies (ENG) 79 76, Sofie Bringner (SWE) 73 82, Helen Kreuzer (GER) 74 81, Fernanda Lira (MEX) 78 77
156 – Katja Pogacar (SVN) 78 78, Romy Meekers (NED) 80 76, Lauren Taylor (ENG) 76 80, Harang Lee (ESP) 76 80
157 – Vanessa Knecht (SUI) 77 80
158 – Kelsey Macdonald (SCO) 83 75, Gabrielle Venter 84 74
159 – Olivia Mehaffey (NIR) 78 81, Gia Raad (a) 76 83, Gemma Clews (ENG) 75 84, Lily May Humphreys (ENG) 80 79, Maiken Bing Paulsen (NOR) 81 78
161 – Amy Walsh (AUS) 81 80, Mireia Prat (ESP) 79 82
162 – Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG) 79 83, Julie Boysen Hillestad (NOR) 80 82
164 – Zethu Myeki 82 82
167 – Tara Griebenow 84 83
169 – Felicity Johnson (ENG) 83 86
RTD – Kylie Henry (SCO) 74 RTD RTD, Thalia Martin (ENG) 78 DSQ DSQ

Birdie blitz earns Van Der Westhuizen Joburg Ladies Open lead

JOHANNESBURG – An outstanding round of golf arrived exactly when Nadia van der Westhuizen least expected it as the South African claimed a one-shot lead going into the weekend of the Joburg Ladies Open at Modderfontein Golf Club.

Van Der Westhuizen birdied her final five holes during Friday’s second round of five-under-par 68 and leads the field on nine under par in this Sunshine Ladies Tour and Ladies European Tour co-sanctioned tournament.

She is one stroke clear of Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini, who also signed for a second round of 68. Thailand’s Aunchisa Utama is three shots off the lead following her round of 71.

Van Der Westhuizen’s round surprised even her as she came into this week having missed the cut in three of her previous four tournaments.

“It hasn’t been a great start to my season and this week I just came out to enjoy it and not expect anything at all. I’m just having fun this week and it paid off. I’m grateful that my game is coming together now when the Ladies European Tour co-sanctioned events are here,” she said.

She was two under par for the day through her opening six holes, but then saw that erased with back-to-back bogeys.

“I had a good start but then I was a bit shaky in the middle. It was just a bit of a momentum loss. I didn’t hit a great tee shot on the one hole and then on the next hole I had an unlucky lie. But after that I just tried to stay patient and take it shot by shot. I knew I could make it up again.”

Her self belief was rewarded as she birdied her final five holes for the lead.

“I had a good back nine and finished very well. I didn’t really think about those five birdies. It was just momentum. I’m just going to keep enjoying it over the weekend. It’s a privilege to play here. The golf course is amazing and it’s wonderful to compete with all the Europeans.”

Singapore’s Shannon Tan, currently ranked fourth on the Ladies European Tour’s Order of Merit, heads into the weekend four strokes off the lead. – Michael Vlismas

SCORES:

137 – Nadia van der Westhuizen 69 68
138 – Chiara Tamburlini (SUI) 70 68
140 – Aunchisa Utama (THA) 69 71
141 – Shannon Tan (SIN) 69 72, Tereza Melecka (CZE) 72 69
142 – Manon De Roey (BEL) 71 71, Laura Fuenfstueck (GER) 69 73
143 – Nicole Garcia 71 72, Verena Gimmy (GER) 69 74, Eleanor Givens (ENG) 71 72, April Angurasaranee (THA) 67 76
144 – Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) 73 71, Moa Folke (SWE) 72 72, Luna Sobron Galmes (ESP) 71 73, Kim Metraux (SUI) 70 74, Sanna Nuutinen (FIN) 73 71, Hannah Screen (ENG) 70 74, Diksha Dagar (IND) 73 71, Jana Melichova (CZE) 70 74, Laura Sluman (PAN) 75 69
145 – Ana Pelaez Trivino (ESP) 73 72, Sara Kjellker (SWE) 71 74
146 – Lydia Hall (WAL) 70 76, Lee-Anne Pace 74 72, Madelene Stavnar (NOR) 75 71, Gabriella Cowley (ENG) 74 72, Camille Chevalier (FRA) 70 76, Alexandra Swayne (ISV) 69 77, Pasqualle Coffa (NED) 74 72, Michelle Forsland (NOR) 71 75, Agathe Sauzon (FRA) 75 71, Tvesa Malik (IND) 71 75, Casandra Alexander 73 73, Teresa Diez Moliner (ESP) 77 69
147 – Nina Pegova (WHT) 77 70, Liz Young (ENG) 70 77, Kristyna Napoleaova (CZE) 75 72, Maha Haddioui (MAR) 74 73, Tiffany Arafi (SUI) 73 74
148 – Annabell Fuller (ENG) 74 74, Anne-Charlotte Mora (FRA) 72 76, Brittney-Fay Berger 72 76, Ivanna Samu 76 72, Sara Kouskova (CZE) 75 73, Emma Grechi (FRA) 71 77, Ayako Uehara (JPN) 75 73, Emily Penttila (FIN) 70 78, Katherine Muzi (USA) 75 73
149 – Paz Marfa Sans (ESP) 77 72, Stacy Bregman 72 77, Lora Assad 76 73, Danielle du Toit 75 74, Linnea Johansson (SWE) 75 74, Dorota Zalewaska (POL) 75 74, Virginia Elena Carta (ITA) 73 76, Lauren Walsh (IRL) 73 76
150 – Emily Price (ENG) 73 77, Marta Martin (ESP) 75 75, Laura Beveridge (SCO) 76 74
151 – Patricia Isabel Schmidt (GER) 74 77, Hannah Burke (ENG) 81 70, Vani Kapoor (IND) 76 75, Linda Osala (FIN) 73 78, Isabella van Rooyen 71 80, Alice Hewson (ENG) 74 77, Dorthea Forbrigd (NOR) 75 76, Celine Herbin (FRA) 75 76, Leonie Harm (GER) 74 77, Sofie Kibsgaard (DEN) 73 78, Genevieve Ling (MAS) 74 77, Ridhima Dilawari (IND) 73 78
Missed the cut:-
152 – Clara Young (SCO) 74 78, Carolin Kauffmann (GER) 76 76, Christine Wolf (AUT) 77 75, Elena Moosmann (SUI) 76 76, Florentyna Parker (ENG) 74 78, Lejan Lewthwaite 78 74, Bonita Bredenhann (NAM) 73 79, Maria Hernandez (ESP) 74 78, Georgina Blackman (ENG) 75 77, Cara Gorlei 79 73, Cecilie Finne-Ipsen (DEN) 74 78, Tiia Koivisto (FIN) 75 77
153 – Jane Turner (SCO) 75 78, Marta Sanz Barrio (ESP) 79 74, Emie Peronnin (FRA) 78 75, Elin Arvidsson (SWE) 76 77, Lisa Pettersson (SWE) 74 79, Tandi McCallum 76 77, Kiera Floyd 76 77
154 – Ana Dawson (IMN) 75 79, Marianne Skarpnord (NOR) 77 77, Elena Hualde (ESP) 79 75, Corinne Viden (SWE) 76 78
155 – Momoka Kobori (NZL) 74 81, Rosie Davies (ENG) 79 76, Sofie Bringner (SWE) 73 82, Helen Kreuzer (GER) 74 81, Fernanda Lira (MEX) 78 77
156 – Katja Pogacar (SVN) 78 78, Romy Meekers (NED) 80 76, Lauren Taylor (ENG) 76 80, Harang Lee (ESP) 76 80
157 – Vanessa Knecht (SUI) 77 80
158 – Kelsey Macdonald (SCO) 83 75, Gabrielle Venter 84 74
159 – Olivia Mehaffey (NIR) 78 81, Gia Raad (a) 76 83, Gemma Clews (ENG) 75 84, Lily May Humphreys (ENG) 80 79, Maiken Bing Paulsen (NOR) 81 78
161 – Amy Walsh (AUS) 81 80, Mireia Prat (ESP) 79 82
162 – Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG) 79 83, Julie Boysen Hillestad (NOR) 80 82
164 – Zethu Myeki 82 82
167 – Tara Griebenow 84 83
169 – Felicity Johnson (ENG) 83 86
RTD – Kylie Henry (SCO) 74 RTD, Thalia Martin (ENG) 78 DSQ

Entry to the Joburg Ladies Open is free.
Spectators simply need to register at www.sunshinetour.com
to claim their complimentary tickets.