Europe beckons as SA's Bregman rediscovers that winning feeling with victory at Royal Joburg

It's been five years and three months since South African golfer Stacy Bregman tasted success.

And finally, on Saturday, the drought was broken after Bregman's scintillating win at the Standard Bank Ladies Open at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington's West Course.

Bregman, whose last win on the circuit came in 2018 at the Tshwane Ladies Open, went on to seal her sixth Sunshine Ladies Tour title in a thrilling playoff.

With a one-shot lead heading into Saturday's final round, Bregman fought off nerves as she closed with a level-par 72 to sit at four-under par.

She then went on to defeat veteran and 11-time Ladies European Tour (LET) winner Lee-Anne Pace in the playoff.

"It's fantastic, it's so nice to be able to win a game," Bregman told News24.

"I haven't won in a few years and this one is really special because I've been working really hard in my game and, eventually, things are starting to come together and it's nice to see a great result.

"It's just been so overwhelming and I really appreciate everyone's support that they've given me this whole time."

Playing in her very first playoff for a tournament win, Bregman remained calm and composed as she took on Pace.

Bregman, whose parents were looking on near the 18th green, went on to sink a curling 20-footer for birdie on the first playoff hole to secure the title.

"It was awesome to beat her (Pace) in a playoff. She has won a lot of events. But I felt I was in control the whole week and I was just going to play my own game," said the Investec-sponsored golfer.

"I had a lot of control and, obviously, I had a little bit of nerves, but I really felt, and I already backed myself, that I could beat her."

Bregman produced the performance of a lifetime and maintained that her perspective and