SA elite golfers shine in US

KAIYUREE Moodley claimed a runner-up finish in the 11th Annika Invitational USA, while fellow GolfRSA Elite Squad player Caitlyn Macnab shared the low round honours in Monday’s final round in Florida.

Bryanston’s Moodley began the final day with a two-shot cushion after rounds of 72 and 68.

The 17-year-old bogeyed at four and five, but held on to the lead with a birdie at seven. Bogeys either side of a birdie at par three 15th for a two-over 74 landed her in the threeway tie for the lead.

Earlier American Jensen Castle closed with a two-under 70 to set the clubhouse target on 214.

Sweden’s Ingrid Lindblad made a great up-and-down at the 18th for a 71 to force a three-way play-off.

The trio returned to the par-four ninth, where Lindblad became the first Swedish-born champion of the tournament with a two-putt par after Moodley and Castle both missed the green with their second shots.

Moodley took a lot of positives from her performance against a world-class field under trying conditions in the highly-ranked event.

“If someone had told me last week that I would get this far in the Annika Invitational USA, I would have thought they were crazy. Before I arrived here, I would have been happy with a spot in the top 20,” Moodley said.

“I take so many positives out of this week. I shot the lowest round of the tournament. I tied for second in my first ever Annika Invitational and first-ever American Junior Golf Association event. I played with some of the best juniors in the world and I made lots of friends. I had a couple of chats with Annika Sorenstam along the way and I proudly flew the South African flag. So, despite not winning, there are loads to be proud of and to build on in the future.”

Macnab battled with swing problems over the first two days and paid the price of errant tee shots with rounds of 77 and 81. The Serengeti golfer bounced back with a final round 70, though, to share the low round honours on the final day.