Credit: Tristan Jones / LET

American Lilia Vu left English hope and fellow overnight leader Charley Hull trailing in the dust at the AIG Women’s Open as she lifted her second Major title of the season at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey on Sunday, 13 August.

Vu fired six birdies to pull away from the opposition on the final day and a late bogey on the 15th made no dent in her confidence as she marched to a six-stroke victory on 14 under par overall, adding the winner’s cheque of $1.35-million to her $765 000 she pocketed for her Chevron Championship triumph four months ago.

It certainly hasn’t been plain sailing for Vu, who missed four cuts in five starts after her Chevron win, including a disastrous performance at the US Women’s Open, where she shot rounds of 79 and 82 to miss the cut by 11 strokes.

The 25-year-old claimed her maiden LPGA Tour title at the Honda LPGA Thailand back in February and her third turn on the winner’s podium shot her straight to the No 1 spot on the Rolex Women’s Rankings.

“It’s just been a crazy year for me, doing pretty well at the beginning of the season and just hitting a lull in the middle. Just struggling,” said Vu after her AIG Women’s Open victory. “I was still getting out of the scar tissue from the US Women’s Open and I thought the Chevron and winning in Thailand was going to be it for me. Being the best in the world, that’s just crazy to me; it’s just incredible.”

She might still be pinching herself, but one thing is certain: with that commanding performance in England, Lilia Vu cemented herself as one of the game’s emerging stars.

Congratulations to Cornel Műller and Nicole van Pletzen, who swept to victory in the Men’s and Women’s Divisions of the 2023 PGA Professional Championship. And a big well done to William Guy, who lifted the Senior Division title at Stellenbosch Golf Club.

We are looking forward to celebrating the PGA Professional of Year on 4 September at the Professional Golf Association of South Africa’s Awards and Graduation Ceremony!

If you are ready to start a journey in golf as a profession, join the PGA of South Africa's Associate Program now and get on the path to an exciting career in golf!

Learn about the career benefits and get more info hereor connect with the PGA of SA at education@pga.co.za

From the high-octane motocross bike flips to flop shots on the Sunshine Tour, watch the heartwarming journey of former King of Motocross Michael Kok, one of the most colourful characters on Tour.

Southern Cape’s Ivan Verster and Ellandri van Heerden from Free State doubled up for the GolfRSA National Squad when the pair finished in the winner’s circle at the Southern Cape Open at Goose Valley Golf Club this August.

Just a month after winning the Limpopo Open Championship, Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation’s Verster backed up his winning performance at Euphoria Golf & Lifestyle Estate with rounds of 70, 69 and 71 for a one-shot victory on six under par in the Men’s Division.

Van Heerden, a 2023 SA Women’s Amateur finalist, has already tasted success twice this season on the Junior circuit with wins at the Nomads SA Junior Internationals and the WP Nomads Junior Girls Championship. The 16-year-old posted rounds of 74, 75 and 71 to secure her first Open Amateur title with a two-stroke victory triumph.

Ivan Verster & Ellandri van Heerden. Credit: SCGU

With eight events to go, Boland golfer Keenan Davidse gave himself a nice leg up on the Challenge Tour rankings at the start of August with a share of sixth place at the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by the R&A.

The former South African Golf Development Board member rounded out his week at Newmachar Golf Club in Aberdeenshire with a four-under-par 67 in the final round to move to 11 under for the tournament, and he climbed 30 spots on the Race to Mallorca rankings to 79th.

Davidse, who fired seven birdies on the final day, finished four shots adrift of the winner, Sam Bairstow of England.

Casey Jarvis, who tied for 32nd, continues to lead the Challenge Tour standings.

Keenan Davidse. Credit: Sunshine Tour

Former SA Disabled Open champion Daniel Slabbert once again asserted his domination at the 2023 South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA) Series when he picked up his Physically-Disabled Medal Division title with rounds of 82 and 77 to triumph at Waterkloof Country Club in July.

The Physically-Disabled Stableford Division was a tightly fought contest, but Deon van Niekerk held off a charging Jimmy Simenya in the final round to edge the Kenyan golfer by three points with rounds of 43 and 37.

SADGA coach Charles Williams kept his winning streak alive with rounds of 86 and 84 to celebrate a runaway 28-stroke victory in the Deaf Medal Division, while Kyle Goliath underlined his rising star status in the SADGA First Swing Program with a 10-point win over Zubenathi Kroti. The talented Dominican School For Deaf Children graduate carded rounds of 31 and 27 to claim the honours.

A big shoutout to Jedeal Construction for throwing its support behind the Jedeal Tshwane Open and thank you to Waterkloof Golf Club’s staff for your collective efforts and contribution to what was a very memorable event.

The final stop in this year’s SADGA Series will be the Cape Town Disabled Open at King David Mowbray Golf Club from 12-13 November.

Daniel Slabbert and Charles Williams. Credit: SAGDA

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