CHIARA TAMBURLINI CLAIMS JOBURG LADIES OPEN HONOURS

Written by: Kamogelo Mogale

Chiara Tamburlini edged Aunchisa Utama to winner the Joburg Ladies Open title at the Modderfontein Golf Club on Sunday. Tamburlini produced a dominant display to claim her first success on the Ladies European Tour with a seven-shot victory at the Joburg Ladies Open.

 The 24-year-old started hot at Modderfontein Golf Club, birdieing her first two holes. A bogey on the par-three third briefly checked her progress, but after this Tamburlini went into cruise control, birdying the fifth, ninth, twelfth and thirteenth holes. The victory comes less than a year on from the Ole Miss graduate winning twice on the LET Access Series to secure her tour card.

“It was a special day today, especially being able to win by such a big margin,” said Tamburlini. “I definitely dreamt of this day but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. But the more you work towards your dreams the sooner you’re able to achieve them.”

“It felt great starting off with two birdies, but I just tried to keep pushing because it’s never over till it’s over. I told myself I can celebrate once it’s done and sealed. It’s so many emotions and joy from all the hard work and all the people who have supported me,” Tamburlini further explained.

Thailand’s Aunchisa Utama took second place on 10 under par with a final round of 71, while Nicole Garcia finished as the leading South African in fifth place on eight under par following a final round of 70.

The tournament also wrapped up a strong commitment by the City of Joburg to support its young girls in need through the Birdies4Dignity campaign, in collaboration with Spar. Every birdie made by a professional golfer during the tournament translated into the donation of a dignity hamper, with 300 hampers donated to girl learners at Bramley Primary School.

The Sunshine Ladies Tour and Ladies European Tour heads to the Western Cape for the Investec South African Women’s Open at the Erinvale Country & Golf Estate this week.