Masson holds on to land South Africa Open

Published on 16/07/2012 01:48

CAROLINE Masson held her nerve to win the South Africa Open by one stroke at the Selborne Park Golf Club in KwaZulu-Natal.

There was a four-way tie at the top heading into the final day. However, France’s Joanna Klatten was unable to recover from a double-bogey five on the par-three fourth and another dropped shot before the turn, while England’s Danielle Montgomery and home favourite Ashleigh Simon both faltered over the back nine.

German Masson, though, picked up a shot at the par-five third and closed out with a run of pars to card 71 in a total of 215, which had included a first round of three-under 69.

However, she had to hold off the charge of South African Lee-Anne Pace who, after dropping a shot at the first, rolled in three birdies for a day’s best equal round of 70.

Fellow home golfer Tandi Cuningham saw her chances of glory dashed by a double-bogey six on the 15th to finish fourth with 217.