Ekurhuleni’s Ashleigh Simon scores Sunshine Ladies Tour hat-trick

Ekurhuleni’s Ashleigh Simon saved her best for last, as she claimed her third Sunshine Ladies Tour title, in as many weeks, with an emphatic eight-stroke victory at the Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies, on Friday.

Simon fired a five-under-par 67 for a winning total of seven under 137, while Cecilie Lundgreen, from Norway, and England’s Lauren Blease finished a distant second on one over 145, after carding a pair of 73s. Simon started the final round tied for the lead, with former Women’s World Cup partner Laurette Maritz, on two under.

She put distance between herself and the chasing pack with birdies at the second, third and fifth, and, after voiding a three-putt bogey at seven, with a birdie at the 13th, there was no chance of catching the four times champion.

The local golfer drained a 35m curvy, downhill putt for birdie at the 16th, to increase her insurmountable lead, and signed off with a tap-in birdie after a superb chip to the 18th green.

Maritz took fourth on three over 147, with a closing 77, while Sun International Challenge winner Tandi von Ruben finished a further shot back, with a final round of 73.

Simon’s third win pushed her earnings just over the R60 000 mark and vaulted her to the top of the Order of Merit.

Ironically, Simon won the South African Women’s Open twice, and claimed a number of victories in pro tournaments between 2004 and 2009, but all these triumphs came during her illustrious amateur career.

The 23-year-old pro was thrilled to finally add to her trophy case in South Africa.

“It’s so great that I finally get to take home the cash,” she said.

“I never won as a pro here in South Africa; both my pro wins at the Catalonia Ladies Masters (2007) and the Portugal Masters (2011) came on the Ladies European Tour (LET).

“I am so pleased that we have a pro tour again. It was so great for all of us to play in front of our own people and for me to win with my family and friends around.”

Simon departs for the United States on Sunday, where she will give her new LPGA card its first workout at the LPGA Founders Cup.

For the first time, she feels ready to compete in America.

“I made very few bogeys, I’ve scored consistently well and my game between tee and green has been very solid in the five events I played,” said Simon.

“I’m excited to go and that’s down to the fact that I have been competitive and my game is ready.”

Simon’s premature departure opened up a spot for England’s Blease in the field for the Investec Cup for Ladies, which is limited to the top 10 available players on the Order of Merit.

The LET Access Series campaigner was thrilled to learn that she will be teeing it up in the R300 000 event, next week.

“I jumped to 11th in the rankings, but I had no idea Ashleigh was leaving,” Blease said.

“It was the best surprise ever. I came over here to play the Sunshine Ladies Tour to get my game sharp for the season. This is such a fantastic bonus.”

“I’ve had a best time and it looks like I peaked at exactly the right moment.”

And Francesca Cuturi, who was disqualified for signing for an incorrect score in the first round, also received some good news.

Cuturi scored three top 10 finishes and her earnings of R26 851 over six starts kept her in the top 10.

The seventh ranked Randpark pro will also line up to claim the R100 000 winner’s cheque in the season finale, at Millvale Private Retreat and the Lost City Golf Course, from March 21-23.

Herewith the final result from the Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies; played at the par-72 Blue Valley Golf and Country Estate, in Midrand, on Friday, March 14.

All competitors RSA, unless otherwise specified. and amateurs indicated as (AMA):

• 137 – Ashleigh Simon 70 67.
• 145 – Cecilie Lundgreen NOR 72 73, Lauren Blease 72 73.
• 147 – Laurette Maritz 70 77.
• 148 – Tandi von Ruben 75 73.
• 150 – Monique Smit 76 74, Morgana Robbertze 75 75.
• 151 – Nora Kagonyera SWE 75 76, Shawnelle de Lange (AMA) 73 78.
• 153 – Iliska Verwey 77 76, Alana van Greuning 74 79.
• 154 – Mandy Adamson 77 77, Carrie Park (AMA) 79 75, Magda Kruger (AMA) 75 79.
• 155 – Tijana Kraljevic 77 78, Alra van den Berg 77 78, Kaleigh Telfer (AMA) 76 79.
• 156 – Jacqui Akers (AMA) 79 77, Rachel Drummond ENG 79 77, Crizelda van Niekerk 75 81.
• 157 – Carmia van Wyk (AMA) 77 80.
• 158 – Woo-Ju Son (AMA) 77 81, Ashleigh Holmes 78 80.
• 159 – Michelle de Vries 79 80, Michelle Leigh 81 78.
• 160 – Sarah Bouch (AMA) 81 79, Kim Brookes 82 78.
• 161 – Kirsten Campbell (AMA) 78 83, Nicola Eaton 77 84.
• 163 – Katia Shaff (AMA) 84 79.
• 166 – Julie Bruyns 81 85.
• 169 – Chiara Contomathios (AMA) 82 87.
• 170 – Chevonne Botha (AMA) 85 85, Chantel Schmidt 86 84.