Lee-Anne Pace has made a strong bid for inclusion in South Africa’s Women’s World Cup of Golf team as she heads into the final round of the Pam Golding Ladies International with a one-stroke lead.
Pace, currently in her rookie season as a professional, took the lead on 10 under par with a solid six under par 67 at the par-73 Dainfern Country Club course on Thursday.
Her nearest challenger is another rookie professional in Stacy Bregman, who led the first round but had to settle for a 71 and a total of nine under on day two.
Denmark’s Julie Tvede is lying third on eight under.
Both Pace and Bregman represent the new wave of talent in South African women’s professional golf.
Pace enjoys playing privileges on the Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour, while Bregman has earned her card for the Ladies European Tour.
Both are hunting a maiden victory in their rookie seasons as professionals, with Pace in particular having set herself the other immediate goal of earning a place in the national team for the Women’s World Cup of Golf, which is currently made up of Laurette Maritz and Ashleigh Simon.
Although she felt she left a few birdies out on the course, Pace was quite satisfied with her performance.
“I think I could’ve had at least three more birdies. I don’t think I was necessarily trying to force it. The putts just didn’t drop,” she said.
Pace took advantage of a cooler morning tee-off time.
“I played in the afternoon in the first round and that was horrible.”
Bregman felt her 71 was better than her score suggests.
“I really felt that I hit the ball superbly and played better than my score suggests. But I’m still confident for the final round.”
A final round duel between two of the brightest young stars of the local women’s game is certainly a thrilling prospect.
Amateur Ashleigh Simon heads into the final round on three under par.
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