Westlake Golf Club plays host to the 2021 Investec South African Women’s Open this week – the first event of this season’s LET schedule.
With four spots at the US Women’s Open up for grabs, all eyes will be on South Africa to see who will come out on top.
We reflect on the past three editions of the tournament…
2018 – Buhai claims third SA Women’s Open crown
Three years ago, home favourite Ashleigh Buhai recorded a two-stroke victory in Cape Town to clinch her third SA Women’s Open title.
As an amateur Buhai won the title twice, the first in 2004 at Royal Johannesburg when she was just 14 years old and the second three years later at Durban Country Club.
But a flawless final round of 67 ensured the South African golfer realised a dream she held since she turned professional in 2007.
At the time, Buhai commented: “No matter what country you’re from, you want to lift your national title. Having won it twice as an amateur was a bit crazy, because the first time I won it I was 14. The older you get, the more you realise what it means to you and to finally win it as a professional, I’m very chuffed.”
2019 – Maiden title for Dagar
One year later it was Indian rookie Diksha Dagar who came out on top in Cape Town, securing her first LET win in just her fourth professional start.
A three-under-par final round of 69 including a magical chip shot on the par-five 16th was enough to edge out home hope Lee-Anne Pace by a stroke.
After her win Dagar said: “I just went out today trying to play my normal game. I really didn’t expect to win, but it happened and I am very happy. I got two lucky breaks towards the end, with a long birdie putt on 15 and then the chip-in on 16. Normally I would just try to chip it close and make the par putt, but this time I had a feeling I could do it and it went in.”
2020 – Fairytale win for Hewson on first start
Last year it was the turn of another rookie to claim victory in South Africa as Alice Hewson claimed the top prize on her first start on the LET.
The English golfer came from three strokes behind overnight leader Olivia Cowan and recorded a 71 to finish on five-under-par for the tournament – one stroke ahead of South Africa’s Monique Smit.
Speaking about her first victory, Hewson explained: “I couldn’t have hoped for a better start. It feels absolutely incredible and it really is a dream come true. Growing up as a kid, all I could ever dream of was playing on the Ladies European Tour and to come and win my first event, the feeling is indescribable!”
