Pace cruises to Investec Cup victory

Lee-Anne Pace notched in her fifth successive Sunshine Ladies Tour title when she cruised to victory in her title defence at the Investec Cup for Ladies on Sunday.

Pace opened her challenge with a four-under-par 68 at the Millvale Private Retreat and took an insurmountable eight stroke lead into the final round after a one under 71 at the Lost City Golf Course on Saturday.

The LPGA Tour champion left the field trailing in her wake at Sun City as she navigated to a final round 71 and an emphatic eight stroke victory on six-under-par 210.

Bonita Bredenhann from Namibia matched her playing partner’s 71 to claimed second on two over 218, while Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies Glendower champion Nicole Garcia edged into third on six over 222 with a final round 73.

Pace earned R30,000 for the victory, but the 1,000 points on offer also lifted the Pearl Valley golfer to the number one spot in the Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies standings, which netted her the winner’s cut worth R250,000 of the R600,000 bonus pool.

“This is unbelievable,” said the delighted champion. “People might think that, just because I’ve won on the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, winning at home doesn’t matter, but they would be dead wrong.

“It doesn’t get any better than this. It’s an amazing feeling to win in front of your friends, family and supporters on home soil.

“I brought my sister with me this week, but when I came back to defend next year, I am bringing the whole family. This is just too good not to share with everyone.”

Pace turned professional in 2005, but only broke through for her first pro victory in the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open in 2010.

That victory broke the dam wall for Pace, who notched eight victories on the Ladies European Tour during an incredible purple patch that lasted until 2013.

She had to wait nearly a decade, though, before winning her first professional title on home soil.

That breakthrough came in the 2014 Investec Cup for Ladies last year and followed after a fourth, a third and a second place finish on the inaugural Sunshine Ladies Tour.

Having broken the victory drought at home, Pace claimed a play-off victory in Cell C SA Women’s Open in October last year, only eight days before she broke through on the LPGA Tour in China.

She extended her winning run in the SuperSport Ladies Challenge and Ladies Tshwane Open over the last two weeks and was absolutely delighted to successfully defend her title.

“This has been an incredible three week stretch,” Pace said.

“I am heading back to the LPGA Tour tonight to compete in the Kia Classic and then it’s off to Mission Hills for the first Major of the season. I feel incredibly positive about my game, and I’m looking forward to the next two weeks.

“The Sunshine Ladies Tour is in very good shape and with the money Investec is investing into the Tour next season, it’s going to be fantastic to come back. I’m definitely going to play in more events next year and I will absolutely be back to defend my title.”

PHOTO – Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies champion, Lee-Anne Pace; credit Carl Fourie.