Pia Babnik is the player to catch heading into the weekend at the Investec SA Women’s Open after the Slovenian fired a 67 (-6) on Friday to move to 14-under par, three shots clear of England’s Cara Gainer.
Teeing up in the morning wave at Royal Cape Golf Club, Babnik, a two-time Olympian, recovered well after three-putting for bogey at the 1st carding eight birdies thereafter to surge into the lead.
The scorecard including three birdies in a row on the front-nine at the 6th, 7th and 8th before Babnik repeated her hot flurry birdying the 15th, 16th and 17th.
“I played really well again today,” the 22-year-old said. “I made even more birdies than yesterday but did make three bogeys. But that’s fine, that happens. Overall I’m very happy with my game.
“I’m just trying to enjoy it. It’s so much fun playing here at such a beautiful course in nice weather. That’s the most important thing.”
Babnik is chasing a third win on the Ladies European Tour (LET) this week. Both her wins came in 2021 at the Jabra Ladies Open and Aramco Team Series – Jeddah.
In 2023, Babnik had a year to forget missing 11 consecutive cuts due to back pain and changes in swing mechanics. After rebounding in 2024 to make the Paris Olympics, this week marks the latest chapter in a resilient comeback story for the Slovenian.
“I’ve put in so much hard work and it’s always paying off,” Babnik said, who finished T5 at last week’s Joburg Ladies Open. “I’m just trying to keep on working hard and putting in the hours. I like setting the pace at the top. This is what I’ve been working hard towards. I’m excited to be where I am heading into the weekend.”
In solo second sits Gainer, winner of the 2025 Lalla Meryem Cup, who carded a 68 (-5) on Friday to move to 11-under par. The Englishwoman had a slow start in South Africa going out in 35 (-1) before birdying the 11th, 14th, 15th and 16th to move to within four. Gainer’s highlight came at the 15th when she produced a delightful chip-in.
“I’ve been playing solid,” the 30-year-old said. “I would say today was a little more difficult than yesterday. I got out of trouble well today and had a great chip-in on the 15th. My short-game has been great this week. I capitalised well on the par-5s too.
“Obviously Pia [Babnik] had a great round today – the chasing pack is pretty far back but I’ll just continue doing what I’ve been doing. I’ve got a great caddie this week [Jack Duthie], he actually coaches at this golf course so he’s got some great local knowledge. He’s been reading the greens really well for me. We make a good team and I’m really enjoying it out there. I feel relaxed.”
One back from Gainer sits compatriot Esme Hamilton. The 26-year-old had a colourful scorecard – a round of 70 (-3) which included six birdies and three bogeys. Hamilton, now in her second year on the LET, rolled in a beauty for birdie at the 18th late into the afternoon.
“I’m really excited for the weekend,” the Englishwoman said. “I had the experience of being in contention in Czech last year, so I’m just going to draw on that. Hopefully I can push on. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.
“I’m really pleased. I feel like my game has been close all season. It’s now to be able to push on again after my result in Saudi. I expected it to happen in Australia, but it didn’t really happen. I’m happy with where my game is at and I’m hoping it will just build and build for the rest of the season.”
In a tie for fourth on nine-under par sit USA’s Anna Morgan and Austria’s Emma Spitz. The former, a rookie on the LET, followed up yesterday’s 67 (-6) with a 70 (-3) to sit five off the pace heading into the weekend. This fortnight marks Morgan’s first visit to South Africa where she is enjoying her time on and off the course.
Spitz meanwhile carded a steady round of 71 (-2) at Royal Cape Golf Club. The Olympian’s highlight came at the par-5 14th when she made eagle following an excellent second shot in.
Five players share sixth on eight-under par, a group which includes Wales’ Darcey Harry, USA’s Brianna Navarrosa, Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjall, Spain’s Luna Sobron Galmes and Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby.
Following 36 holes of action at Royal Cape Golf Club, the cut fell as two-under par with 66 players making it through to the weekend. This included Alexandra Swayne from the U.S. Virgin Islands who bettered yesterday’s score by 12 shots firing a 66 (-7) to make it on the number.
The third round of the Investec SA Women’s Open gets underway tomorrow at 7:45 local time. Watch live and keep up to date with all the action on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook | #InvestecSAWomensOpen.
