Masson breaks through in South Africa

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German Caroline Masson has claimed her maiden Ladies European Tour title by winning the South African Women's Open on Sunday as Australian Lindsey Wright came home with a wet sail.

Masson carded a one-under-par 71 in the final round at Selborne Park Golf Club to finish one stroke ahead of South African Lee-Anne Pace (70) and England's Danielle Montgomery (72).

South Africa's Tandi Cuningham (70) and Joanna Klatten (73) of France, both one-over for the tournament, shared fourth, while Australian Wright jumped nine places with a third-round one-under-par 71 to finish in a share for sixth alongside Frenchwoman Julie Greciet (73) and South African Ashleigh Simon (74).

Bree Arthur (73) was the next placed Australian in a tie for ninth, with Alison Whitaker (76), Rebecca Artis (77) and Stacey Keating (77) finishing further back in 28th position.

Winds of up to 81km/h forced the scheduled tee-off time to be delayed by an hour but once play began, the 23-year-old German showed her class as she did not drop a single shot for the day.

Leading from round one, she sunk a birdie putt on the par-five third hole and parred the final 15 holes to help lead her to victory.

"I'm so happy. It was such a tough day with the wind," Masson said following her win.

"I hung in there and made my pars. I got lucky a few times, and I had a few birdie chances but didn't make those putts.

"But all in all I'm really happy with the way I played."

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