Lee-Anne sets early pace

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 South 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.”

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.

“This morning, there was a little bit of mud collecting on the ball, but all in all, the course is in fantastic condition,” Hall said.

“Never seen it so green. It’s reasonably tight off the tee, and it dictates shaping lots of shots into the greens, and off the tees as well, which I’m fairly comfortable doing. The greens are so pure. Where you start it, that’s where it goes. It stays on line.” |