Maiden Title for Lee-Anne

Lee-Anne Pace claimed her maiden professional victory in the Pam Golding Ladies International at Dainfern Country Club on Friday.

Pace closed with a one under par 72 on the par-73 layout to win on 11 under par 208.

Denmark’s Julie Tvede finished second on 209 with a final round of 71, while Eleanor Pilgrim from Wales took third on 211 with a closing 69.

Pace was delighted with a victory so early on in her professional career.

“It feels great. But it had to take a second or two to actually sink in,” she said. “I wanted to win a tournament especially in South Africa. Coming back here you almost have to prove yourself, so I’m very happy.”

The win is also a big step towards Pace’s goal of earning a place in the South African team for the Women’s World Cup of Golf.

It’s also the result of a new training programme she has undergone and which is also used by former Masters champion Mike Weir.

“It’s a good programme where I go through a number of tests to tell me my weaknesses. My left knee showed up as a weakness and I’ve been training certain muscles for that. It’s a workout to prevent injury and to make you fit.”

Stacy Bregman finished tied fourth on 212 with a disappointing 75 in the final round.

Ashleigh Simon ended the tournament as the leading amateur on 217 with rounds of 73, 70 and 74.

“I hit the ball well but I was very disappointed with my short game this week,” said Simon.

“I just couldn’t get things going and it was very frustrating, especially when I was hitting the greens and just nothing was happening for me.”

Laurette Maritz finished on 226 with rounds of 75, 74 and 77.

Pam Golding Ladies International, Dainfern Country Club, Johannesburg

Round 3 (Par 73) – final round

208 Lee-Anne Pace 69 67 72

209 Julie Tvede (Den) 70 68 71

211 Eleanor Pilgrim (Wal) 72 70 69

212 Kiran Matharu (Eng) 68 73 71, Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 69 72 71, Stacy Bregman 66 71 75

214 Sophie Walker (Eng) 73 73 68, Amanda Moltke-Leth (Den) 72 70 72

215 Emelie Svenningsson (Swe) 70 72 73, Kaisa Ruuttila (Fin) 76 69 70

216 Hanna-Leena Salonen (Fin) 72 70 74

217 Marianne Skarpnord (Nor) 71 71 75, Ashleigh Simon* 73 70 74, Zuzana Kamasova (Svk) 75 71 71, Anna Becker (Swe) 74 73 70

218 Kelli Shean* 76 69 73

219 Lisa Jean (Aus) 73 72 74, Jehanne Jail (Fra) 70 76 73

220 Emma Zackrisson (Swe) 75 73 72, Bertine Strauss* 74 74 72, Morgana Robbertze 71 71 78

221 Martina Gillen (Ire) 74 71 76, Frederique Dorbes (Fra) 77 76 68

222 Johanna Westerberg (Swe) 71 76 75, Michelle de Vries 75 75 72, Vanessa Bell (Eng) 73 76 73, Nora Angehrn (Swi) 72 78 72

223 Leandri Pieterse 76 72 75, Elin Ohlsson (Swe) 74 74 75, Florence Luscher (Swi) 74 71 78, Anne-Sophie le Nalio (Fra) 74 75 74, Sarah Heath (Eng) 75 73 75, Sohvi Harkonen (Fin) 76 73 74, Elin Brask (Swe) 73 76 74, Maria Boden (Swe) 73 75 75

224 Suzette Venter 76 72 76, Kirsty Fisher (Eng) 74 74 76

225 Tandi von Ruben* 77 77 71, Natou Soro (CDI) 71 73 81, Lizelle Muller* 75 73 77, Kelly Hutcherson (Eng) 76 74 75

226 Josefin Svenningsson (Swe) 76 73 77, Monique Smit* 78 73 75, Laurette Maritz 75 74 77, Cecilie Lundgreen (Nor) 79 69 78, Cuyler Hedley (Can) 72 77 77

227 Edita Nechanicka (Cze) 75 75 77, Felicity Johnson (Eng) 73 78 76

228 Viva Schlasberg (Swe) 74 73 81

229 Sandra Winter* 78 75 76, Lena Tornevall (Swe) 75 76 78, Madeleine Holmblad (Swe) 77 74 78, Nicole Becker* 73 78 78

230 Kim Williams* 78 76 76

231 Vicki Traut* 76 78 77, Mercia Pretorius* 76 78 77, Antonella Cvitan (Swe) 75 76 80, Nuria Clau (Spa) 75 79 77, Mandy Adamson 72 75 84

232 Julie Berton (Fra) 79 75 78

233 Zelda Smook* 76 77 80

234 Hanna-Sophia Svenningsson (Swe) 77 77 80

SA unless otherwise noted

* denotes amateur