Masters wins south title

Chelsea Masters came fifth in the initial 36-hole strokeplay phase of the competition with rounds of one-over-par and one-under-par which reduced her handicap to +0.5.

The top 16 qualified for the matchplay stage and Masters won her first match against the experienced Tara Watters (Muswell Hill GC) 3&1 playing par golf.

She then edged out her good friend and defending champion Alice Barnes (West Sussex GC) 2 up in an all-Sussex battle before clinching her semi-final against Surrey county champion Lizzie Prior (Burhill GC) 3&2.

After coming back from 2 down to all-square on the front nine, Masters then took charge on the back nine to gain a place in the final, one step further than she went last year.

Masters was 3 down after eight in the final against Hampshire player Emma Allen (Meon Valley GC), who had made four birdies in a row. Masters then claimed two holes back until losing the 11th to go back to 2 down.

After a thunderstorm stopped play for an hour, Masters hit back with two birdies to go 1 up through 14 and her seventh birdie of the match on the par five 17th sealed a 2&1 victory after Allen just failed to get up and down from a bunker.