Smit hits the front at Oubaai

Southern Cape’s Monique Smit produced a golfing masterclass over the front nine at Oubaai Golf Club to set the early target in the R150,000 Dimension Data Ladies Pro-Am in George on Saturday.

Smit, a regular on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour, had two early birdies at the second and fourth, but dropped a shot at the par-three sixth. The 23-year-old local favourite used her home course knowledge to dip to four under with three birdies before the turn and started the back nine one shot clear of two-time Ladies European Tour (LET) winner, Ashleigh Simon.

Simon turned in 34 after birdies at the second, third and seventh and leads by one from Francesca Cuturi from Randpark.

Meanwhile early starters Rachel Drummond from England and Iliska Verwey from South Africa set the club house target at one-under-par 72.

The pair was joined by Tijana Kraljevik, while Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies champion and the runner-up, Kim Williams and Nicole Garcia are also at one under with nine to play.

Tournament favourite Lee-Anne Pace is four shots off the pace even-par after a bogey at the first and birdie at the par-five seventh. The Mossel Bay professional will have to get the putter going over the par-35 back nine if she hopes to catch up to the leaders.

Smit will be looking to extend her advantage to take a sizable first round lead into the final round, which will be played at the Outeniqua course at Fancourt on Sunday.