The most challenging day to date of the 2026 Investec South African Women’s Open produced some of the most captivating golf, with Slovenia’s Pia Babnik and England’s Esme Hamilton tied for the lead going into the final round at Royal Cape Golf Club.
Related: Pia Babnik leads into weekend of SA Women’s Open
After two days of perfect weather and low scoring, the Cape wind arrived on Saturday. Only nine players in the field of 66 were able to shoot under par on the day.
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Hamilton shot the joint low round of the day of three-under-par 70 and birdied the last for a share of the lead on 13 under par.
Overnight leader Babnik fought a tougher battle with her game on Saturday and signed for a 74 that kept her at the top of the leaderboard.
And England’s Cara Gainer, playing with them, produced a one-under 72 to sit just one shot behind them on 12 under.
The three of them played golf that wasn’t perfect, but which was composed in the challenging conditions.
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There were four shots separating these three players at the start of the round, and by the end of Saturday there was only one shot between them and neither of the trio had taken a significant step backwards.
“I felt like we were in a match play situation all day between the three of us,” said Gainer.
Hamilton made the most significant climb early on as she opened with three birdies in her first five holes.
“Coming from England, I’m used to some interesting conditions, so it didn’t phase me at all. I was always going to just go out and play my own game. My caddie is from Scotland so he’s very used to it as well, so I used his knowledge of the wind,” she said.
“I feel like my round could’ve been better. My misses were in good spots but I didn’t capitalise on that. I started off playing really well and could’ve been four under through five holes. But I was really happy with how I started the round. The birdie on 18 felt great. It’s nice to finish on a little bit of a high after a testing day.”
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Alongside her, Babnik described the conditions as “brutal”.
“My plan today was just to keep my golf ball safe and try and take advantage of the holes where the wind was helping, which wasn’t easy. I think my approaches on the par fives were good today. I’m satisfied with my round because it was absolutely brutal today. Both Esme and Cara played really well so I was just trying to keep up. But I’m really enjoying my game at the moment and just being here.”
And with heavy rain expected for Sunday, Gainer is expecting another tough round at Royal Cape.
“This course is pretty narrow at the best of times. When you factor in the wind it makes it even trickier. I know the conditions won’t be easy in the final round with rain added in.”
Caitlyn Macnab is the leading South African on three under par following her round of 75.
