England's Esme Hamilton won her first Ladies European Tour event with a two-shot victory over compatriot Cara Gainer at the Investec SA Women’s Open.
The 26-year-old Nottingham golfer, with just two top-10s in her previous 22 events, had held the 54-hole lead alongside Slovenia’s Pia Babnik on 13 under, with Gainer a shot behind.
But in difficult wet and windy conditions at the Royal Cape Golf Club, where no player broke 70, Hamilton’s five birdies offset a double-bogey six and another bogey as she signed for a two-under 71.
Babnik managed only a one-over 74 that allowed Gainer to leapfrog into second with a 72, but Hamilton’s birdie at the par-five 16th – the only player in the final group to pick up a shot over the closing four holes – gave her just enough of a cushion.
"I’m a bit lost for words. It’s something that I’ve dreamt about for a while," Hamilton said of her breakthrough triumph.
"I’m going to make sure that I enjoy this because it’s a big one. The win will hopefully build my confidence and unlock a lot for me."
Anna Foster finished best of the Irish challenge, carding a 73 in her final round to finish in a share of 38th place on 10 under.
Foster's compatriots Olivia Mehaffey and Aine Donegan both failed to make the cut.
