Lily May Humphreys defies odds for maiden LET win in Joburg

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Lily May Humphreys - TheGolfingHub
Lily May Humphreys posted a come-from-behind two shot-win at the Joburg Ladies Opeen. Photo" Tristan Jones/LET

England’s Lily May Humphreys fired a fantastic final round of 67 (-6) to secure a two-shot victory at the Joburg Ladies Open.

The 20-year-old began the day six shots behind overnight leader Moa Folke and got off to a good start with two birdies in her first two holes before her only dropped shot of the day on the third.

Humphreys then got on a roll with birdies on five, eight, 13 and 14 which put her into a share of the lead.

 

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The 2021 LET Access Series Order of Merit winner then rolled in a birdie on 16 to reach a total of 12-under-par which proved to be enough to win her first LET title.

“I’m pretty speechless,” said Humphreys. “I felt so nervous playing 18 and I just can’t believe I’ve done it. It’s an incredible feeling and I’m so overwhelmed right now.

“Today was simple golf, I stuck to the same game plan. I wasn’t as aggressive as other people on a few holes, it was what I felt comfortable with and what I felt was best for me and it obviously paid off for me this week. I stuck to my game plan and tried to play my best golf.

“On 15 was when I noticed, and I had a five-foot putt for par and I had just seen that I was tied for the lead. Luckily, I holed that and then followed up with a birdie on 16 and then I didn’t know I had a two-shot lead until I was basically putting on 18. The nerves properly kicked in then.

“I love it here in South Africa, I have been enjoying it. I have loved playing the Sunshine Ladies Tour. I’m in better form now and feel confident and I was happy that I was in the final few groups and I started off nicely, I just wanted to be near contention at the start of the day. To be where I am now is incredible.

“I’m really excited about the rest of the season, I’m really looking forward to what’s to come!”

 

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Spain’s Ana Pelaez Trivino and Sweden’s Moa Folke finished in a share of second place on 10-under-par.

LET winner Pelaez Trivino had a solid final day carding a 69 (-4) which included seven birdies and three bogeys.

The Spaniard explained: “It was a good day with some frustrating moments, but I was pleased I could end the round with back-to-back birdies to have my best result of the season so far.”

Sweden’s Folke didn’t have the day she wanted producing a two-over-par fourth round, but this is her best-ever result on the LET.

 

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“I struggled out there,” said the 27-year-old.  “It wasn’t my best day, but at the end of the day I’m happy with second place and I get to try again next week. I’ll bring some positives from this week as there was definitely quite a few.

“I feel like three out of the four days here, I haven’t my played my best. To still be second considering that, I think that’s great and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”