Lee-Anne Pace performs well in Netherlands
South African Lee-Anne Pace came close to toppling the leaders in the final round of the Deloitte Ladies Open, as she finished third after posting an overall 212.
The three-day tournament, held at Golfclub Broekpolder Rotterdam, Netherlands, turned into a tough battle when three players, Carlota Ciganda, Ursula Wikstrom and Lee-Anne Pace started ramping up pressure on each other.
The three contenders grabbed much of the attention on the course, but the rookie Ciganda outclassed her nearest rivals, shooting a 69 to claim her first LET (Ladies European Tour) triumph.
Wikstrom, who belongs to Finland, grabbed the second spot, as she fired a 70.
Although unable to record a win, Pace was happy to display a good performance after a long time.
The South African has been winless since her last victory at the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open in October 2010. She beat Hannah Jun, Julieta Granada, Christel Boeljon in playoff.
The year 2010 was the most momentous season for Pace, as she racked up all her five victories in the 2010 season. She recorded her first ever win at the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open in June 2010, beating Vikki Laing by one stroke.
Analysts said that despite performing so well in the 2010 season, the 31-year-old golfer could not maintain her momentum the next season, and remained winless.
The current season, they said, has been without a victory, which is taking a toll on her game.
However, coming close to her sixth professional victory in the Deloitte Ladies Open has boosted her confidence, and she plans to set foot on the course with a more solid strategy.
Golf commentators said that only a few players have been able to record this many victories in one season.
They added that if the South African had posted a better score in the opening round, she may have had a chance for a better outcome in the end.
Pace started the final round in an impressive style, as she parred the five holes. She drained an eagle on the par-5 6th hole and shot her first birdie on the next hole.
The winner of the tournament, Ciganda, was thrilled about recording her first LET triumph.
She said that she was confident that she would cheer up Dutch spectators, as she played a natural game, right from the start of the event.
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