Investec SA Women's Open
An elated Esme Hamilton won the 33rd tournament securing her maiden Ladies European Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour title.
The English reign supreme at Royal Cape Golf Club
Hamilton closed with a 71 on the final day of constant rain to win on 15 under par, two strokes clear of fellow English pro Cara Gainer who settled for second. Slovenia's Pia Babnik took third on 12 under par with a final round of 74.
Hamilton was elated to claim her maiden title on only her second season on the Ladies European Tour. Hamilton and Babnik teed off the final round tied for first place, with Gainer just one shot behind them, and the three way battle was epic as they each shared the lead on occassion.
Caitlyn Macnab finished as the leading South African on two over par, while Lisa Coetzer claimed the Jackie Mercer Trophy as the leading amateur on 11 over par with a final round of 78.
World-class partnerships raise the game.
L-R: Esme Hamilton, winner of the Investec SA Women's Open; Lisa Coetzer, winner of the Jackie Mercer Trophy for the leading amateur
Watch the highlights and celebrate the talent
2026 Investec SA Women's Open | The numbers
132
€350,000
37
R200k
33rd
R100k
Investec Order of Merit
Over and above the substantial prize purse on offer through the Investec SA Women's Open there's an additional opportunity to walk away with R200,000 through the Investec Order of Merit.
The 2026 title went to Casandra Alexandra for a consecutive year, making the South African one of only two players to win the prize back-to-back.
The Investec Order of Merit is based on a points system, and the top three placed professionals on the final Investec Order of Merit gain automatic entry into the 2027 Investec SA Women’s Open.
In order to qualify for the Investec Order of Merit bonus prize, players must have competed in at least four events in the 2026 Sunshine Ladies Tour season.
Caitlyn Macnab was confirmed as The R&A Rookie of the Year after a season in which she had three top-five finishes on the Sunshine Ladies Tour.
Sponsorship extension of men’s and women’s national Opens
Two months before the Investec SA Women's Open teed off, Investec announced a five-year extension of its support of the men’s and women’s professional game as well as the development of the game. The extended partnership reinforces Investec's long-term commitment to South African sport and the pathways that help local talent compete on the biggest international stages.
Further to this, Investec also announced another five-year extension of its patron support of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, the Sunshine Tour’s official transformation programme for previously disadvantaged golfers who seek to turn professional.
To this end, Investec has rewarded Karabo Mokoena as the leading Papwa Sewgolum Class member with an exemption in the Investec South African Open this week.
Peta Dixon, Head of Sponsorships at Investec says, “These championships are a stage where South African talent can be celebrated both at home and internationally, and tested against the best. We also want more young players to be able to see a route into the professional ranks, which is why the Papwa Sewgolum Class matters.”
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