Eaton bidding for home crown

HIBISCUS Coast golfer Melissa Eaton is targeting a Sunshine Ladies Tour breakthrough in the SA Women’s Open at San Lameer Country Club from November 29 to December 1.

The Port Shepstone player came close to a maiden victory twice, in the Sun International Ladies Challenge and Dimension Data Ladies Pro-Am, last season. “It’s going to be great to be back playing in my home tournament,” said the former Symetra Tour winner.

“This was my first event back in South Africa after so many years in the States, so it brings back great memories. It will be good to be in front of the home crowd again. I’m pleased we convinced my twin, Nicola, to come out of ‘retirement’ to compete, as well, and it will be all the more special for us with the family coming down.”

Eaton claimed three runner-up finishes and three top fives in her nine starts on the Sunshine Ladies Tour before she left South Africa to compete on the Ladies European Tour.

“I had sporadic starts due to my ranking from Qualifying School, so I have been polishing my game on the IGT Tour over the last four weeks to get competitive for the SA Women’s Open,” Eaton said.

Having reeled in six birdies in seven holes in the final round of the seventh Race to QSchool event last week, to tie for 10th, Eaton believes she is back to the form that helped her to a second place ranking in the Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies in March.

“Everything is feeling good and that always gives you that extra bit of confidence. The weather was a factor last year, but I was still disappointed to tie for 30th. My game is in better shape ahead of this year’s national championship.” – Own correspondent.