Staff WriterAt the ABSA Ladies Invitational at Royal Johannesburg, the excitement is already palpable.
In a season largely dominated by South African talent, England’s Thalia Martin surged ahead with a career-low, seven-under-par 65 that shook up the status quo heading into Saturday’s final round.
Martin, a determined 28-year-old golfer, delivered a bogey-free performance punctuated by seven birdies, setting her tournament total at an impressive 10 under par.
Norway’s Madelene Stavnar is close on her heels, trailing by three shots at seven under par after a steady four-under-par 68, while South Africa’s Casandra Alexander stands at six under par as she too eyes a top finish.
“I just took it shot-by-shot, staying in the moment. I wasn’t thinking of the shot before or the next shot.
I just kept it in the moment,” said Martin, adding that she particularly enjoyed the opportunity to be creative with her approach shots on the Royal Johannesburg layout.
“It is definitely a challenging course off the tees, so I feel that if you can get yourself on the fairways, then you can use the slopes around the greens to get yourself closer in different ways.”
Well aware of the high calibre of competition on the Sunshine Ladies Tour—with four of this year’s five tournaments already claimed by South African professionals—Martin is resolved to maintain her aggressive approach in the final round.
“I am putting my foot on the gas and not letting go. I have been playing like that for the last two days, trying to keep my foot on the pedal and making as many birdies as possible, so that is my gameplan.
I want to keep myself in my own bubble and push myself to be even better than I was today.
“The players are getting stronger so yes, it is getting a lot tougher to try and climb up the leaderboards here, so that is why I think if you can get yourself to make the cut or even a top 10, that is a really big achievement on any tour.
I think the atmosphere of being on the Sunshine Ladies Tour is brilliant. That is why I always come back to play here.
Everyone is lovely, the players, the organisers and the country – everything is just always good.”
With the final round set to unfold, all eyes remain on the ABSA Ladies Invitational as this thrilling contest promises more twists and turns.
Will Martin’s bold, in-the-moment play continue to defy expectations, or will the South African contingent reclaim its dominance?
Only time will tell as the drama unfolds on one of golf’s most exciting stages.
