Pace upbeat after US Women’s Open

Lee-Anne Pace did not manage to better her career best tie for 43^rd in this year’s US Women’s Open, but the country’s top ranked player was nevertheless happy with her overall performance at Lancaster Country Club and looking forward to the Ricoh British Women’s Open at the end of July.

The double Investec Cup for Ladies champion opened with a 73 at the Old Course and fired a second round 69 to vault to joint 32^nd.

“Unfortunately I wasted all that good work with a 77 in the third round,” the Pearl Valley golfer said.

“It was a tough scoring day and it didn’t help that I got off to a bad start. I played a lot better in the final round and signed for a 70 to tie for 56^th on nine-over-par 289.

“I’m really happy that I made it to the weekend. I learn more about what it takes to perform well in these big events in every Major that I compete in.”

Pace finished well behind South Korea’s In Gee Chun, who fired a six under 66 to take a one stroke victory on eight under.

A five-time LPGA Tour winner this season, Chun became the first player to win in a US open debut since Birdie Kim in 2005.

As soon as action wrapped up in Lancaster, Pace shifted her focus on her preparations for the season’s fourth Major at Turnberry Trump Resort in Scotland.

“I’ve got two more events on the LPGA Tour before I leave for Scotland and I have to make them count,” the LPGA Tour winner said.

“I need to sharpen my focus so that I am match ready for the Ricoh British Women’s Open.”

Pace is competing in the Marathon Classic at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio this week and will travel to Grand Rapids in Michigan for the Meijer LPGA Classic next week.

Meanwhile the Sunshine Tour ladies competing in Europe have another week off before they line up in the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open on the West Coast of Scotland.

LET winner Connie Chen will lead the South African challenge in North Ayrshire from 24-26 July alongside Stacy Bregman and Laurette Maritz.

Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies champion Nicole Garcia is second on the reserve list.

The Wanna Be A Champion player, Namibia’s Bonita Bredenhann and two-time Sunshine Ladies Tour winner Monique Smit (at three and seven) will have a nervous wait to see if they make the field for the €500,000 event at Dundonald Links.

PHOTO – Lee-Anne Pace; credit Catherine Kotze / SASPA