Staff WriterThalia Martin can go ahead and pinch herself now. The talented English golfer soared to a maiden victory at the ABSA Ladies Invitational on Saturday, delivering a final-round one-under-par 71 at Royal Johannesburg that capped an unforgettable performance.
With her mum on the bag—steady as a rock and probably twice as proud—Thalia Martin navigated a pressure-cooker final round with the kind of grace and grit that belied her years.
She closed out the win at 11 under par, two shots clear, despite some late stumble-bums at 17 and 18 that would’ve rattled most.
But this wasn’t just about golf for her—it was personal. As she stood on the 18th green, emotions bubbling just under the surface, Martin paid tribute to her mother’s unwavering support and the memory of her father, who passed away in 2023 after a long illness.
And to top it all off? A win on Mother’s Day weekend—talk about the ultimate gift. “Having my mum out there with me… it made it all the more special,” she said, her voice catching slightly. No bouquet or brunch could top that.
Norway’s Madelene Stavnar experienced heartbreak at the last, double-bogeying the 18th to join France’s Anne-Charlotte Mora and Scotland’s Laura Beveridge in a three-way tie for second at nine under par.
But the tension at Royal Johannesburg felt every bit like a primer for Martin’s bright future.
Not only did the ABSA Ladies Invitational mark Martin’s first professional win, but it also introduced a string of career milestones.
She fired her lowest professional round—a sizzling seven-under-par 65—in the second round, led a tournament for the first time in her pro career, and sealed the deal with style (albeit with a few late hiccups).
“I tried to keep everything the same as I have done for the last two days, but I have to admit, nerves did come into play going into hole 16.
But I just tried to stick to my gameplan. Sometimes it didn’t work but I am just glad that I kept calm throughout,” she said.
“It’s a new experience but hopefully there will be more to come. The first win is always a special one and having my mum on the bag with me makes it even more special. And also having my friends with me on tour to share the moment is good.”
As the celebrations wind down, Martin’s reward is a guaranteed spot in next week’s Joburg Ladies Open, co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour.
That 72-hole contest tees off on April 3 at Modderfontein Golf Club, featuring nearly R6 million in prize money.
Given her confidence under pressure, it’s a safe bet that Thalia Martin is only just getting started on a remarkable career.
