Lewthwaite’s long wait ends with play-off glory

Leján Lewthwaite ventured up to the Sunshine Ladies Tour champ's hover at the South African Women's Masters with an emotional play-off triumph over youthful GolfRSA beginner Kajal Mistry at San Lameer Country Club on Saturday.

The pair finished three rounds tied on one-under 215, with Lewthwaite shutting with a wonderful five-under 67 in the wake of opening endeavors of 75 and 73. Mistry, in the meantime, marked for a one-under 71 to run with her before rounds of 75 and 69.

The pair crossed irons as they made a beeline for the short standard four eighteenth for a sudden demise play-off. The 18-year-old Mistry went first and split the fairway, while Lewthwaite found a better than average lie in the harsh on the right.

Lewthwaite was first to hit her methodology, which settled close to the back of the green exactly 35 feet from the stick and it was preferred standpoint Mistry, who adhered her second to 12 feet.

However, it would be the genuine masterstroke of Lewthwaite that would have the last say as she folded a beast putt straight into the gap for a birdie three. Mistry's makeable birdie missed the mark and the title appropriately went to Lewthwaite.

"I was a little fast off the tee and my ball went somewhat right," said the Investec golfer, who turned into the third progressive lady victor of the SA Women's Masters following Korea's Carrie Park in 2017 and a year ago's prosperity by German golfer Laura Fuenfstueck.

"I hit an extraordinary second, however, the stick was perched on a smidgen of an incline and the ball just continues onward. Fortunately, I had that identical putt amid control play. I thought I expected to hit it somewhat left and somewhat harder and it just went in!

"It's a tremendous certainty promoter. Encouraging yourself to win requires some investment and it's extremely something worth being thankful for to have in your back pocket."

The 28-year-old Lewthwaite had been thumping on the entryway the most recent couple of weeks with third at the Canon Sunshine Ladies Tour Open toward the start of the month, prior to a second spot at the Dimension Data Ladies Pro-Am a week ago in George.

She's well used the bridesmaid label twice at San Lameer Country Club.

First in 2015, when she pursued Lee-Anne Pace to the end goal in the SA Women's Open and won the Jackie Mercer Trophy as the main beginner and again a year ago, when she tied for second.

"Two or three individuals were stating 3-2-1 this week since I was third at Irene, second at DiData… So I'm glad to finish that succession," Lewthwaite said.

"I generally come through in my last round. That is the place it makes a difference most. So perhaps on the off chance that I can simply get the first round nerves out somewhat speedier, possibly it won't be as troublesome."

In spite of the fact that it is a first win on the Sunshine Ladies Tour for Lewthwaite, she has tasted accomplishment in the paid positions previously with two play-off triumphs on the IGT Challenge Tour a year ago.

"It unquestionably implies a great deal. It's odd in light of the fact that I figured I would have been crying after my first triumph. I sort of set myself up a year ago by winning on the IGT Tour and that is somewhat encouraged me a great deal."

Kim Williams (75 66 76) had driven for the greater part of the day, however a tragic triple intruder six on the standard three sixteenth dropped her out of conflict. The Centurion Golf Club part proceeded to tie for third close by Scotland's Hannah McCook (72 74 71) on one-over.

It would have been another disappointing outcome for Williams, who was pipped at the post a week ago by the quick completing Nobuhle Dlamini.

Lewthwaite made extraordinary notice of her execution post round and who knows, maybe Williams will get her fair rewards in one week from now's SuperSport Ladies Challenge, exhibited by Sun International, at the Wild Coast Sun Country Club.

"I saw Kim was ahead of the pack there. It's the second week in succession she's come up somewhat short. I feel downright terrible for her. She's an exceptionally capable player and she'll do well later on."

For Mistry, however, the misery of annihilation was clear for all to see, yet Lewthwaite trusts the youth is bound for a long profession in the diversion. "Kajal is an awesome player," said Lewthwaite. "She will do as such well later on."