Jarvis in dreamland after securing Masters and Open starts

Casey Jarvis felt “on top of the world” after claiming back-to-back DP World Tour titles at the Investec South African Open Championship and dream starts in the Masters and The Open.

The South African (22) followed his maiden DP World Tour win in the Magical Kenya Open with a three-shot win over Italy’s Francesco Laporta, South Africa’s Hennie Du Plessis and France’s Frederic Lacroix at Stellenbosch.

“I feel on top of the world at this moment,” said Jarvis, who led by a shot from Laporta and Du. Plessis overnight before closing with a bogey-free, six-under 64 to win on 14-under par.

“I feel absolutely incredible. To win in front of my home crowd in my home Open is just absolutely fantastic. I’ve got no words.”

Not only did Jarvis join Lacroix and Laporta in winning one of three spots in The Open at Royal Birkdale, but he also secured his Masters debut next month.

“As South African golfers, we all dream of winning our home Open, and to have done it feels amazing,” he added. “I just can’t wait to go to Augusta.  

“It’s so cool. I’ve got no words to describe the feeling. Hopefully, Tiger Woods is playing because he’s my role model. And to play The Open with all of its history is unreal. I can’t wait.”

A bogey at the 18th proved costly for Du Plessis, who was on track to secure his spot in The Open but was edged out of Royal Birkdale by Lacroix as he had an inferior world ranking.

England’s Eddie Pepperell signed for a bogey-free 64 to take solo fifth place on 10 under while Patrick Reed remained at the top of the Race to Dubai after finishing tied for 29th.

It was also a good weekend for some up-and-coming Irish players around the world.

Lahinch’s Aine Donegan finished joint 16th in her professional debut in the Ladies European Tour’s weather-delayed Ford Women’s NSW Open in Australia.

The Co Clare woman (23) stormed into a two-shot lead at halfway after carding an eight-under 63 in the second round at Wollongong Golf Club.

While a three-over 74 in round three dented her title hopes, she closed with a 70 to finish seven shots behind France’s Agathe Laisne on nine-under as Anna Foster’s level par 71 left her joint 37th.

Laisne claimed her maiden LET title when she followed a 64 on Saturday with a 65 to secure a one-shot victory over Thailand’s April Angurasaranee and Korean amateur Soomin Oh on 16-under.  

Next up for Foster and Donegan is a trip to Sydney’s Magenta Shores for this week’s Australian Women’s Classic.

Meanwhile, Leona Maguire joins LPGA rookie Lauren Walsh in the Blue Bay LPGA on Hainan Island in China this week after closing with a three-over 75 to finish tied 41st in the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore.

The Co Cavan star finished 14 strokes behind Australia’s Hannah Green, who captured the title for the second time after a final-round 69 secured a one-shot win over American Auston Kim.

On the third-tier tours, Robert Moran and Mark Power continued their fine run of form with runner-up finishes at the weekend.

Moran (26) finished second behind Andrea Romano in the Alps Tour’s New Giza Open in Cairo, while Power finished a shot behind former Ryder Cup player Chris Wood in the MENA Tour’s Al Houara Classic in Morocco.

It was Moran’s second runner-up finish on the Alps Tour this year, catapulting him to third in the Order of Merit behind Romano.

Moran shot a six-under 66 to move up to third in the Order of Merit while Sam Murphy, who edged him out for the season-opening Ein Bay Open, lies fourth after he tied for 21st in the New Giza Open.