Amateur Ashleigh Simon is on the brink of rewriting the records books of South African women’s golf as she heads into Saturday’s final round of the Acer Women’s South African Open with a staggering seven shot lead.
The 17-year-old Simon produced an impressive nine under par 64 on the par-73 Durban Country Club layout on Friday to surge into the overall lead on 13 under par.
Her nearest challenger is defending champion Rebecca Hudson from England on six under following her round of 69.
Rookie professional Stacy Bregman, who was in the team alongside Simon when they won the Espirito Santo Trophy towards the end of last year, is next best on five under following a round of 69.
But the rest of the field’s hopes of catching the most dominant player in South African women’s golf for several years now remain as distant as one of Simon’s drives.
In 2004, Simon made history when she became the first amateur to win the Women’s SA Open. On that occasion she carded a final round of nine under par 63 at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.
Only 14 at the time, Simon also became the youngest player to ever win the national women’s Open, and the first amateur to ever win on the Ladies African Tour.
Winning the event a second time would place her in an even more exclusive club of achievement.“It felt just like when I won the last SA Open,” Simon said of her 64 on Friday, which included eight birdies, an eagle and only one bogey.
Even more impressive is the fact that the majority of her round was played off the men’s tees at Durban Country Club, with tournament officials deciding to use a mix of both for this event.
“I didn’t know what really happened. I just went with the flow. Then you find out you’ve just shot nine under. The greens are so true so that’s what’s made the difference,” Simon said.
“I’ve been able to roll in the putts. The last two weeks I hit it well but the putts weren’t dropping. I knew if I got the putter going I would be home, and that’s what happened.”
But Bregman, who finds herself in contention again on the Tour, is refusing to give us just yet.
“I’m really happy with my game. If I just do the same thing again on the final day then I’m sure I can catch Ashleigh.”
First round leader Morgana Robbertze dropped off the pace with a 75 on Friday.
Acer Women’s SA Open
Durban Country Club, Round 2 Scores (Par 73)
133 Ashleigh Simon* 69 64
140 Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 71 69
141 Stacy Bregman 72 69
143 Kelli Shean* 72 71, Morgana Robbertze 68 75, Laurette Maritz 73 70
144 Sophie Walker (Eng) 74 70, Margherita Rigon (Ita) 73 71, Clare Queen (Sco) 73 71, Eleanor Pilgrim (Wal) 76 68, Lisa Jean (Aus) 73 71
145 Lena Tornevall (Swe) 75 70, Elin Ohlsson (Swe) 74 71, Tania Elosegui (Spa) 69 76, Antonella Cvitan (Swe) 70 75, Nora Angehrn (Swi) 75 70
146 Karen Margrethe Juul (Den) 74 72
147 Hanna-Sophia Svenningsson (Swe) 71 76, Marianne Skarpnord (Nor) 76 71, Lee-Anne Pace 74 73, Kirsty Fisher (Eng) 75 72, Maria Boden (Swe) 72 75, Anna Becker (Swe) 76 71
148 Johanna Westerberg (Swe) 74 74, Bertine Strauss* 73 75, Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den) 72 76, Ana Larraneta (Spa) 74 74, Jehanne Jail (Fra) 76 72, Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den) 75 73, Sarah Heath (Eng) 74 74, Michelle de Vries 72 76, Jo Clingan (Eng) 75 73, Mette Buus (Den) 77 71, Julie Berton (Fra) 79 69
149 Julie Tvede (Den) 74 75, Monique Smit* 75 74, Frederique Seeholzer (Swi) 73 76, Monja Richards 75 74, Mandy Adamson 72 77
150 Vicki Traut* 76 74
151 Gina Switala* 76 75, Ellen Smets (Bel) 78 73, Leandri Pieterse 77 74, Cecilie Lundgreen (Nor) 72 79, Felicity Johnson (Eng) 75 76
152 Tandi von Ruben* 73 79, Sarah Faller* (Ire) 79 73, Claire Coughlan (Ire) 76 76
153 Emma Zackrisson (Swe) 76 77, Hanna-Leena Salonen (Fin) 75 78, Lill Kristin Saether (Nor) 75 78, Edita Nechanicka (Cze) 76 77, Nuria Clau (Spa) 78 75
154 Natou Soro (Cdi) 80 74, Lise Botha 81 73
155 Viva Schlasberg (Swe) 79 76, Taynee Pearson* 76 79, Florence Luscher (Swi) 75 80, Caryn Louw 78 77, Santie Koch 74 81, Nina Hansson (Swe) 79 76, Frederique Dorbes (Fra) 78 77, Elin Brask (Swe) 75 80, Vanessa Bell (Eng) 78 77, Carmen Alonso (Spa) 81 74
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