Scots golfer Kelsey MacDonald ties for fourth in South Africa

Scotland’s Kelsey MacDonald was tied for fourth as England’s Alice Hewson enjoyed a dream start to her Ladies European Tour career as she claimed victory at the South African Women’s Open.

Kelsey MacDonald had share of the lead after two rounds. Picture: David Cannon/Getty Images

Making her debut on the tour, the 22-year-old came from three shots behind overnight leader Olivia Cowan to win by one at Westlake Golf Club.

Hewson got off to a flying start with a birdie at the first hole to move to five under and, although she dropped a shot at the third, she immediately regained it at the fourth.

After nine holes, Hewson was in a four-way share of the lead, and she found herself out in front after the three other leaders all bogeyed the 10th.

Another bogey at the 11th put Hewson, from Hemel Hempstead, back in the pack but she pulled clear again with a birdie at 13 and was not caught.

There was drama at the 18th, though, where Hewson hit a tree with her second shot but played a brilliant chip on to the green before holing a seven-foot putt to finish a stroke ahead of South Africa’s Monique Smit and Emma Nilsson of Sweden.

MacDonald had a share of the lead after the first two rounds following back-to-back 70s and she was still in the hunt at the turn on the third and final day. But she faded on the homeward stretch and finished with a 73 for a three-under par total, two shots behind Hewson.

The Scot shared fourth place with Manon de Roey of Belgium and Manon Gidali of France.