SPRINGFIELD, N.J.: Lee-Anne Pace isn’t playing a lot of competitive golf these days at 42-years-old and her practice habits have tailed off.
She enjoys the game, and every once in a while, the South African really enjoys it. The first round of the Women’s PGA Championship at historic Baltusrol on Thursday was one of them.
Pace made a two-putt birdie on the final hole in fading daylight to cap a bogey-free 5-under 66 and grab a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the second major of the year in women’s golf. “Honestly, I just came over because I like to come over every now and then for one or two events,” Pace said. “I honestly did not expect to be leading the tournament after day one.
It’s a very, very difficult golf course. To be in my position, I’m just really happy that I had a good score.” Teeing off at 2:28 p.m., Pace made seven pars to start her round, then finished with five birdies in her final 11 holes, hitting the par-5 18th in two and getting down in two.