Lee-anne sets early pace at SA open

THREE-TIME champion Lee-anne Pace made an eagle at the 16th hole yesterday on her way to a 2-under-par 70 in the first round of the S outh African Women’s Open at Westlake Golf Club.

That gave her a share of the lead with Lydia Hall of Wales, and the pair have a one-stroke lead over 2009 champion Tandi Mccallum and fellow South African Nicole Garcia. Sweden’s Johanna Gustavsson and India’s Tvesa Malik share fifth on even-par.

“It was one of my goals to have a good start today,” said Pace.

Although she turned in at level par after starting her round on the 10th, it turned out that two-under was more than good enough. “I did know it was playing tough, and thought that anything around level-par or a little bit under would be a good round.”

Pace was even-par after the turn until the par-5 7th, which was 459 metres and players had to flirt with the water if they wanted to make the green in two to go for the eagle.

“I went for the drive to get it a bit further down there,” said Pace. “I had 220m to the pin, 190m for the front, so it was a perfect three-wood for me.

“It bounced straight, which was great, because you can get a wicked kick sometimes, and I made the six-foot putt.”

Pace, who took the title three times in a row at San Lameer in 2014, 2015 and 2017 – there was no tournament in 2016 – found herself feeling comfortable at Westlake. “I really enjoy the course,” Pace said.

“I like the way it’s set up, it’s tough and you’ve really got to go out and play nice golf.

“The course played quite a bit tougher than usual, especially the opening holes. The course was rather wet at 8am.”

For Hall, there was also a lot of joy to be had in the course’s condition as she made four birdies and two bogeys on her way to her 70.