Essex tour professional Lily May Humphreys fired a final 67 to claim her first Ladies European Tour title at the Joburg Ladies Open.
The 20-year-old began the final day at Modderfontein Golf Club a full six shots behind overnight leader Moa Folke, but got off to a good start with two birdies in her first two holes. After dripping a shot at the third, she then got on a roll with birdies on five, eight, 13 and 14, which put her into a share of the lead. The 2021 LET Access Series Order of Merit winner then rolled in a birdie on 16 to reach a total of 12-under-par which proved to be enough to win her first LET title.
“I’m pretty speechless,” said Humphreys. “I felt so nervous playing 18 and I just can’t believe I’ve done it. It’s an incredible feeling and I’m so overwhelmed right now. Today was simple golf, I stuck to the same game plan. I wasn’t as aggressive as other people on a few holes, it was what I felt comfortable with and what I felt was best for me and it obviously paid off for me this week. I stuck to my game plan and tried to play my best golf.
“On 15 was when I noticed, and I had a five-foot putt for par and I had just seen that I was tied for the lead. Luckily, I holed that and then followed up with a birdie on 16 and then I didn’t know I had a two-shot lead until I was basically putting on 18. The nerves properly kicked in then.
Humphreys, who is attached to Royal Norwich Golf Club, added: “I love it here in South Africa. I have loved playing the Sunshine Ladies Tour. I’m in better form now and feel confident and I was happy that I was in the final few groups and I started off nicely, I just wanted to be near contention at the start of the day. To be where I am now is incredible.I’m really excited about the rest of the season, I’m really looking forward to what’s to come!”
Spain’s Ana Pelaez Trivino and Sweden’s Moa Folke finished in a share of second place on 10-under-par, with the latter closing with a 75.
For all the scores and the final leaderboard, click here.