Esme Hamilton won the Investec South Africa Women’s Open for her first career professional victory. She defeated fellow Englishwoman Cara Gainer by two strokes.
Hamilton entered the final round tied with Slovenia’s Pia Babnik at 13-under for the tournament. Gainer trailed the pair by one stroke. Hamilton had an up-and-down front nine with two birdies, a bogey and a double bogey. Babnik also made mistakes on the front nine, with two bogeys for a 38 (+2). Hamilton outdueled Babnik on the back nine, making three birdies to Babnik’s one to win for the first time on the Ladies European Tour.
After a successful career at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the University of Kansas, Hamilton turned pro in 2024 and joined the LET Access Series. She earned status for the 2025 LET season through Q-School.
Gainer finished in second place – her highest finish on tour this season. Gainer won on the LET last season at the Lalla Meryem Cup in February. She also had seven other top 10 finishes on tour last season.
With her win, Hamilton earned €52,500 in prize money and 500 points in the LET’s Order of Merit. She moved into fourth place in the rankings, ahead of Charley Hull.
The Ladies European Tour concludes its African swing next week at the MCB Ladies Classic – Mauritius. The tournament will be held at Constance Belle Mare Plage (The Legends Course) in Flacq District, Mauritius.
