Triple win in the bag

This was Simon’s third Sunshine Ladies Tour title.

Simon fired a five-under-par 67 for a winning total 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 her former Women’s World Cup partner, Laurette Maritz on two-under. Simon put distance between herself and the chasing pack with birdies at the second, third, fifth and 13th, there was no chance of catching the four-time champion.

Simon drained a 35m curvy, downhill putt for a 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 finished fourth on a three-over 147 with a closing 77, while Sun International Challenge winner Tandi von Ruben finished a further shot back with a final round 73.

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

Ironically, Simon won SA 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 Johannesburg-pro was thrilled to finally add to her trophy case. “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… 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,” said Simon.

She departs for the United States 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’m excited to go and that’s down to the fact that I have been competitive and my game is ready,” said Simon.