Birdie blitz carries Venter to a title
South Africa’s Gabrielle Venter birdied her final two holes of regulation play and then beat Norway’s Madelene Stavnar in a playoff to win the Platinum Ladies Open at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate on Friday.
After her strong finish to close with a 66 and tie Stavnar for the lead on 16 under par following the Norwegian’s final round of 68, Venter carried that momentum into the playoff and birdied the first playoff hole to win and claim her second Sunshine Ladies Tour title.
“I am very happy. I played great, hit some really good shots, and didn’t make any mistakes, which is a positive. I am very happy with the win,” Venter said.
The South African duo of Bobbi Brown (66) and Jordan Rothman shared third place with Iceland’s Gudrun Bjorgvinsdottir (67) on 14 under par.
After battling with flu as well as a tough 27-hole second day cause by weather delays, Venter gave it everything during Friday’s final round knowing she had to be aggressive to stand a chance.
“I am still struggling with flu but the body held up fine and it didn’t hold me back today. Coming into the back nine I was hitting great shots but wasn’t making any putts, but I stayed consistent and aggressive. I knew on the 18th hole I had to go for it and then hit a really good drive to give myself the opportunity to do so, and I made the birdie putt,” Venter said.
Playing the par-five 18th again in the playoff, her gameplan was the same.
“I almost hit it in the exact same place, but unfortunately it ended up in a divot. I was thinking about laying it up, but decided it’s now or never. I just hit my five-wood as hard as I could, and it made it up the hill, which Ieft me with a two-putt for birdie and the win,” Venter said.
The Sunshine Ladies Tour will next head to Royal Johannesburg for the ABSA Ladies Invitational that will take place from 26-28 March.
