Ashleigh Simon doubles up at ladies Tshwane Open

Simon was declared the winner at The Els Club Copperleaf when tournament director Pauli van Meersbergen was forced to call an 18-hole result.

“It’s definitely not the way I would have chosen to win, but Mother Nature had her own thoughts on the matter,” said Simon.

“I did put myself in a great position in the first round, so I’m really pleased with the result, but it would have been great to get out there again.”

The 24-year-old Joburg professional won the Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies at Glendower on Friday and rode that confidence to blow away the opposition with a flawless six-under-par 66 and a four shot lead on Norway’s Cecilie Lundgreen at the Ernie Els-designed layout.

Simon was thrilled with her performance in the last three events.

“I shot eight under at the Dimension Data Ladies Pro-Am, seven under at Glendower and six under here, and that’s the kind of form I want to take to my first start on the LPGA Tour,” she said.

Simon will be teeing it up in the LPGA Founders Cup later this month.

“The great thing about these rounds is that I’ve kept my bogeys to a bare minimum. The SuperSport Challenge will be my final event, so I’m hoping for two more solid rounds on Thursday and Friday.”

Kim Williams, who claimed the tournament in the series at Houghton Golf Club, erased three early bogeys on Monday to finish in sole third on 71.

Dimension Data Ladies Pro-Am champion Monique Smit shared fourth on even-par with American Katie Burnett, Sun International Challenge winner Tandi von Ruben and LET rookie Nicole Garcia.

The tropical storm over Tshwane has also caused Van Meersbergen to look at alternative venues for the SuperSport Challenge on March 6 and 7.

“Unfortunately, Zwartkop Country Club is also flooded and with the forecast for the rain to continue, we are forced to find an alternative venue,” Van Meersbergen said.

“We have spoken to several clubs and hope to make an announcement on Wednesday.”

– Sapa