Swedish pro-golfer Linn Grant smiled from ear to ear after winning her first Joburg Ladies’ Open Tournament on March 26 at the Modderfontein Golf Club.
The crowd cheered as the executive mayor, Clr Mpho Phalatse, handed over the shining silver trophy to Grant on the manicured golf course on Saturday afternoon.
“It feels nice to win,” said Grant. She turned professional in 2021 after taking home the 2017 Ladies British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship.
Throughout the tournament, the hospitality in Johannesburg impressed Grant.
“We had a wonderful time and stayed at an amazing place. These are great people, and I loved the golf course.”
To celebrate the illustrious win, Grant said she would enjoy a nice dinner before jetting off to Cape Town. She is excited to call her mother, who she knows will probably be ‘most excited’.
Phalatse said, “Women are trailing behind, and she must keep going and should share her story because, for me, background stories are important. It gives you context and strategy.”
Nicole Garcia from Benoni secured herself a third spot in the final. The three-time Sunshine Ladies Tour winner said she was impressed with her stroke on the last day of play. Garcia expressed sincere gratitude towards the City for hosting the event, and as a local, she is proud of her performance.
“I’m proud because I’m from Joburg and I’ve played on the course several times. It’s close to home, and it makes me proud to be part of the tournament. I want to give the City of Joburg a shout out for supporting the girls. It’s unbelievable and, on behalf of all the players here, they’ve enjoyed it,” she said.
Next week, Garcia will compete in the Investec Women’s Open and hopes to carry on with her good form.
Isabella van Rooyen (19), who is the top-ranked amateur player in South Africa, also performed well by finishing 11th among the pros. She was satisfied with her finish and learned something by competing with professionals.
The three-day tournament teed off on March 24. It was the first time that the event was co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Ladies Tour and the Ladies European Tour.
