SOUTHBROOM – Inevitably, the early running at the South African Women’s Open has been made by the name that was on everyone’s lips before the start of the tourney, as it was last year, and just about every other year Lee-Anne Pace has entered.
Pace shot an ominous six-under par 66 at San Lameer Country Club on Thursday, to vault to a two-stroke lead over Monique Smit on four-under, and Stacy Bregman who is a further shot back at three-under.
Pace, who is chasing her third title in her national Open started off in the best possible fashion, as she rolled in a birdie on her very first hole of the day, to signal her intentions for yet another addition to her burgeoning local collection.
A trio of birdies on the third, fourth and fifth holes saw Pace leap out in front. Her tee-shot on the short third emphasised just how well Pace is striking her irons at the moment, and she will take some stopping if she maintains the crispness of her ball-striking.
By the time she reached the turn, South Africa’s leading women’s golfer was already at five under, scorching the opening half in just 31 shots. With temperatures on the South Coast starting to swelter in the afternoon, Pace slowed her charge on the tighter homeward nine, picking up a birdie on the 12th hole, before slipping one back on the 16th hole, with an errant tee-shot costing he an immaculate card on the day.
But, such is the form and frame of mind that Pace is in, she made almost immediate amends for the error on the final hole of the day, with a birdie on the 18th. It was a fitting end to what had been a terrific display of ball-striking from the champion, and her rivals would be excused for already having an air of inevitability in their thoughts.
Of course, a lot can still happen over the next 36 holes, and the winds that can sweep through at San Lameer have yet to make a proper visit. Pace had things mostly her own way, and she will rise on Friday looking to further consolidate a near perfect start to what has become an assault, rather than just a defence of her title.
Behind her, Smit will hope to keep the pressure on, while Bregman’s pedigree in high-profile events is well known. Someone will have to take the fight to Pace, and put up a number early, to at least give her something to think about it heading into the weekend.
For locals, looking to watch some top quality sport, there are few better spots in KZN to be than San Lameer this weekend. Go early, and watch some of the Ladies European Tour’s best players try and keep up with the frenetic Pace.
Leaderboard:
Lee-Anne Pace – 66
Monique Smit – 68
Stacy Bregman – 69
Kiran Matharu – 70