Amateur Macnab makes history at Jabra Ladies Classic

Reigning South Africa Women’s Amateur champion Caitlyn Macnab made five birdies on the back nine en route to a closing five-under par 67 to capture the Sunshine Ladies Tour’s Jabra Classic at the Glendower Golf Club in Edenvale, South Africa on Friday.

Macnab, 19, finished the event at 12-under to earn an eight shot win over Nicole Garcia and playing partner Lindi Coetzee to become the first amateur winner on the South African women’s professional circuit since Ashleigh (Simon) Buhai won twice in 2007.

The victory was especially sweet for Macnab, who squandered a chance to rewrite the history books last week in the season-opening Cape Town Ladies Open at Royal Cape Golf Club with a double bogey late in the final round. She was absolutely delighted to pull it through in her home union.

“It’s awesome; it’s such a great feeling,” Macnab told WorldSport.com. “There is a lot more pressure when you play against the pros, and last week in Cape Town I didn’t really know what to expect heading into the final day with a share of the lead. This week I felt a lot more comfortable, and playing here at Glendower was great. It’s such a great course.”

She began the final round lead with a one-shot lead over Coetzee and was three-strokes clear of multiple-time winner Lee-Anne Pace. She opened her final round with back-to-back birdies and held a three-shot advantage at the turn before going on a birdie brigade on the back nine to seal the victory.

With the win, Macnab earned an exemption into an LPGA major. She will compete in the Amundi Evian Championship in France,, July 22-25.

Macnab successfully defended her South African Women’s Amateur Championship in February and followed with wins at the KwaZulu-Natal Championship and the Free State Open. br>We expect to see a lot more of Ms. Macnab after she competes in France -- she will attend Texas Christian University in the fall.