Leopard Creek, South Africa: Gia Raad claimed the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational title with a two-shot victory over her fellow South African Bobbi Brown.

Thanks to her win at Leopard Creek, Raad earns starts in The Women’s Amateur Championship, Final Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open, Joburg Ladies Open, The Investec South African Women’s Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.

Raad, who finished third in last year’s inaugural Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational, took a three-shot lead over last year’s runner-up Brown into the final round.

“It feels surreal. Today was a tough day, and I’m just really, really happy. I don’t really have the words to describe it. On the back nine I could start to feel the nerves. My tummy was going crazy,” said Raad, who closed with a one-under 71.

She added: “It’s nice because me and Bobbi were cheering each other on. We have a really good friendship, so it was helpful. She helped me keep calm.

“It's so amazing that we get these opportunities, even to play at this course and get to qualify for all those things. It's just crazy.”

Brown, who carded a final round 70, was proud of how she played but felt her putting let her down. She said: “I guess I’m pretty happy with how it went. You can’t complain with two-under overall at Leopard Creek. It’s a tough course. I swapped to my dad’s putter last night because I was missing everything the last two days inside three feet. I did a little better and I can’t be upset about the result.”

The 17-year-old Raad made a nervy start to the final round, a double-bogey seven on the par-five second opening the door for her rival. The Golf RSA squad member settled down, however, and rallied with birdies on the fifth and sixth. She let a shot go at the 11th but holed a gutsy 12-footer at the 14th to stay two clear of Brown. A fine birdie at the 15th extended Raad’s lead to three with three to play.

Brown had an eventful front nine cancelling out three birdies with four bogeys as she tried to catch Raad. The 21-year-old dropped another shot at the 10th but bounced back in style with an eagle three after finding the green with her tee shot at the par-four 11th. A three-putt bogey at the 12th slowed her momentum but she followed it up with consecutive birdies as she battled to stay in touch with Raad.

At the par-three 16th, Raad almost holed a lengthy birdie putt but had to settle for a par, as did Brown. Both players parred the 17th and, although Brown produced a fine birdie at the last, Raad calmly rolled in her par putt for a two-shot victory and a four-under-par total of 212.

First round leader Lisa Coetzer of South Africa finished in third position on three-over-par.