Rookie Reto impressive in Alabama

Hot on the heels of Connie Chen’s Spanish Ladies Open triumph on the Ladies European Tour, the LPGA Tour rookie sealed a season-best third place finish in the LPGA event in Prattville on Sunday.

Reto flew under the radar with a string of missed cuts at the start of the season, but recently tied for ninth at the Portland Classic.

She underlined her growing status when she claimed the lead at the 36-hole mark with rounds of 65 and 66 at the RJT Golf Trail Senator course.

The South African followed with a 70 to hold on for a share of the third round lead with Mi Jung Hur from Korea, but when it mattered most, the short stick went cold.

The 24-year-old fought valiantly to offset four early bogeys with three birdies in the final round, and reeled in seven straight down the home stretch to claim third on 14-under-par 274 with a closing 73.

She finished seven off the pace from Hur, who claimed a four-stroke victory over Stacy Lewis on 267 with a sizzling 66 in the final round.

Reto said playing alongside Hur was a brilliant learning experience.

“I haven’t been in that situation before in the leading group, so I just was trying to do my own thing and play my own game,” Reto said.

“MJ was just so patient. She was just really good and I learned a lot from her. Next time, if I am in the same situation, I would feel better.”

Reto relocated to the United States at the age of 15, and her return to South Africa will mark the first time she hunts for glory as a professional on home soil.

“I’m most excited that I secured my card for next year,” said Reto, who leapfrogged to 71st on the LPGA Tour Money List.

“It was one of the goals and I’m happy about that. I felt a couple of things were off. Putting didn’t work as well, but I didn’t put pressure on myself, so I’m happy with the outcome.”

Ladies European Tour champions Chen, Lee-Anne Pace and Ashleigh Simon and a host of Sunshine Ladies Tour campaigners will aim to hold off the challenges of a strong international line up at San Lameer from October 16 to 19.

The 72-hole SA Women’s Open is co-sanctioned between the WPGA of South Africa and Ladies European Tour, and will carry a purse of R4.5-million.

– Sapa