Lee-Anne Pace shares fifth position in 1st round, determined to repeat 2010 performance
South African Lee-Anne Pace displayed a stunning performance in the first round of Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open 2012, as she registered a 68 to share the fifth spot on the leaderboard.
Pace is considered one of the favourite contenders for the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open 2012, as she is winner of the 2010 edition of the tournament.
The tournament, being played at the prestigious Golf Gerre Losone, Switzerland , is featuring several competent players, and this edition is expected to stage a tough battle.
The defending champion, Diana Luna of Italy, is also playing the tournament. Luna fired a 67 to stand tied for the third spot on the leaderboard.
Pace displayed a balanced game right from the start, as she parred the first six holes. She drained her first birdie on the difficult par-3 7th.
Although in high spirits due to her stunning performance on the same course, two years back, Pace found it a little hard to keep her rivals at a distance. She seemed to lose momentum on some holes, despite the favourable weather conditions.
Analysts said that the weather helped players make calculated shots. They added that the weather is forecast to remain almost the same in the next three rounds.
On the back nine, the South African appeared to be in a more solid position. She reeled off three straight birdies on the 11th, 12th and 13th.
Golf commentators said that the 2010 winner may not find it easy to repeat what she did two years ago, as the field is far stronger this year.
They said that the first-round results reflect that under performers may bounce back in the next three rounds.
Pace has been a prominent player on the LET (Ladies European Tour), as she has racked up five professional titles. The year 2010 was the most momentous in her career because she recorded all the five triumphs in the season.
She made a name for herself in pro golf when she won S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe by three strokes in August 2010. The 31-year-old golfer recorded another victory in the same month at Finnair Masters.
Analysts said that Pace looks firm to move ahead, but it remains to be seen how she fares against her rivals in the next rounds.
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