GAUTENG, Johannesburg – Caitlyn Macnab may have only turned professional in 2025, but the past season’s R&A Rookie of the Year on the Sunshine Ladies Tour showed massive composure to win the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions supported by Attacq and WCMC by one shot on eight under par.
It was a tense finish though, with three players tied for the lead with only one hole to play on Royal Johannesburg’s East Course.
Macnab had to sink an eagle putt on the 18th hole to win the tournament outright, and she did just that for a 69 to win by one shot from the Sunshine Tour’s 2025/26 Fortress Rookie of the year, Luis Carrera (69).
“My caddie Matt (Saulez) did a good job of keeping me grounded and keeping me within the shot. I couldn’t really feel much so we decided on a line and thank goodness it went in,” a happy Macnab said. Saulez was awarded the Sunshine Tour Medallion for the winning caddie.
Macnab, who led from day one at Royal Johannesburg, started Sunday’s final round with six pars in a row before birdies on the seventh and ninth holes got her round going. Drop shots on the 11th and 14th holes however opened the door for Mexico’s Luis Carrera who took the outright lead on seven under par after sinking a birdie putt on the 18th hole.
“It was a tight leaderboard all week. I just tried to stay patient which was hard at times, but I was really hitting some great golf shots. I wasn’t really making putts today, but it felt good for that last one to drop,” Macnab said.
Pieter Moolman (66) ended in third place on six under par after finishing with four birdies over the last five holes, and one shot clear of Gabrielle Venter (70), who ended on five under par and secured fourth place. – Michael Vlismas Media
