Tvesa Malik, an Indian golfer, wins her first international championship in South Africa

Tvesa Malik, an Indian golfer who has often gone close to winning her first international championship, finally gained some closure on Friday when she won the SuperSport Ladies Challenge, the Sunshine Ladies Golf Tour’s first tournament in South Africa, by three strokes.

Tvesa was victorious in South Africa, becoming the second Indian after Diksha Dagar. The 2019 Women’s South African Open was won by Diksha Dagar.

Tvesa, who won the Kenya Ladies Open in 2023, is the third Indian woman golfer to win in Africa, after Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar.

After shooting 71–65 in the first two rounds, the 29-year-old Tvesa, who has been a professional for seven years and has won several times in India on her home circuit, the Hero Women’s Pro Golf circuit, finally broke through with a final round of 1-under 71.

After a disastrous first-round performance in T-10, Tvesa shot a bogey-free 65 on the second day to move up to joint first place. In a solid round, she concluded with a 71 that contained two birdies and one bogey.

South Africans Paula Reto (75) and Gabriel Venter (71) finished second and third, respectively.

Lee Ann Pace (71), another rising star in South Africa’s women’s division, and Amy Taylor (68) of England tied for fourth.

After the second round, Tvesa and Paula Reto were level, but Tvesa took an early lead when Reto finished with a 4-over 40, two doubles, two more bogeys, and two birdies on the front nine. Tvesa on the other hand had a bogey and a birdie.

Tvesa finished the second nine with two birdies and a bogey, while Reto finished third with two birdies and a bogey, signing for 75. Gabriele Venter tied for second place with a score of 71 (five birdies and four bogeys).

Tvesa said, “I have worked hard and was focused on getting back to the Tours that I have been on.” Tvesa is married to fellow Indian professional golfer Ajeetesh Sandhu. I’ve had fun at the Sunshine Ladies Tour, and there are some excellent golf holes in South Africa.

“It’s been an amazing three days, especially the second round where I didn’t have to do anything.”

“I will hopefully continue using this form, as it allows me more flexibility in scheduling my calendar and allows me to attend more events, some of which are on LET,” she said.

Tvesa has also registered for the Sunshine Ladies Invitational, which takes place on March 6–8.

This was the first of the Sunshine Ladies Tour’s seven tournaments, which also includes the Women’s South African Open and Johannesburg Ladies in April. Tvesa will be qualified for every tournament after this victory.

After losing her opportunity to play on the Ladies European Tour, Tvesa made the decision to play on the Sunshine Ladies Tour and select LET tournaments in an effort to regain her card. With her most recent victory, she has complete access to South Africa and may use it to re-enter LET.