It wasn’t easy, but Nadia van der Westhuizen’s two-over-par 74 in the final round was still enough to earn her a one-shot victory in the SuperSport Ladies Challenge presented by Sun International at Sun City’s Gary Player Country Club course on Friday.
Van der Westhuizen claimed her second Sunshine Ladies Tour title on a total of three under par, with Kaiyuree Moodley finishing second on two under with a closing 69.
Casandra Alexander took third place on one under with a final round of 73.
Van der Westhuizen had a steady start to her round and was level par through her opening five holes. The 6th, 7th and 8th holes, however, produced two bogeys and a birdie, with van der Westhuizen turning in one over.
“It was very steady in the beginning. I hit the ball well,” she said. “Then on the last couple of holes on the front nine I started to miss with my driver a little bit, and missed the fairways. If that happens on this course you are basically dead.”
A birdie followed on the 11th, but Van der Westhuizen found trouble again on the 15th with a double-bogey.
“It was the driver again on the 15th. I think it was a little bit of nerves as well. But I tried to stay calm and collected for the rest of the round. I’m very happy with the result.”
The Gary Player course was a relentless challenge this week, with only three golfers managing to finish the tournament under par.
“I have to say the course was absolutely brutal. It is in beautiful condition but it is tough. If you miss the fairways, you are losing a shot or two and the greens are also quite quick. It was a tough challenge this week.”
This victory meant something special for Van der Westhuizen.
“This one is absolutely so special for me. It’s not only in a golf aspect but definitely a personal one. I went to Q-School last year and missed my Ladies European Tour card by three shots. So, winning this one means so much in bringing some confidence back.”
Rookie Moodley had another good performance after finishing tied third in last week’s Jabra Ladies Classic.
