Pace makes a move in Thailand

South Africa’s top ranked golfer Lee-Anne Pace made significant strides in the right direction at the Honda LPGA Thailand to move into the top 10 at the Siam Country Club in Chonburi on Friday.

The world number 29 was slow off the mark with a 71 in her season opener, but the Pearl Valley golfer hit her stride at the Pattaya Old Course with a five-under-par 67 in the second round to finish on six under 138.

Pace lags eight strokes off the pace in a tie for 10th with 15-time LPGA winner, Yani Tsheng.
American Stacy Lewis carded an opening 66 and set the course on fire with an eight under 64 to strengthen her bid for a 12th LPGA Tour title.

The 30-year-old sits at 14 under, three strokes clear of ahead of Amy Yang (-11) and Caroline Masson, Jenny Shin, Ariya Jutanugarn and Mirim Lee who each sit at 8-under.

Pace reeled in three gains on the front nine to turn in three under and collected back-to-back birdies at the par-five 10th and par-four 11th to go five under.

The reigning Investec Cup for Ladies champion let two go at the 12th and 14th, but negated the damage with further birdies at the par-three 15th and par-five 18th.

Lewis has been particularly impressive over the outward loop in the first 36 holes, completing the stretch in 29 strokes in round one and 32 in the second round.

PHOTO – Lee-Anne Pace; credit Justin Klusener.