Lee-Anne Pace had a slow start on Thursday in the first round of the LPGA Tour’s Dana Open at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio when she carded a one-over-par 72.
That left the only South African in the field down in a share of 105th, eight strokes off the lead and with a battle ahead of her to make the cut when she starts her second round.
In the lead were Linn Grant of Sweden, a three-time winner on the Sunshine Ladies Tour, who opened up with a seven-under-par, and Jaravee Boonchant of Thailand who had an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys in her 64.
Grant had a bogey-free round, opening with six straight pars on the back nine. She is winless on the tour, and the 24-year-old Swede birdied 16, 17 and 18, and two, six, eight and nine.
“I think coming off last week – playing at Pebble, it was a challenge,” said Grant, who tied for 53rd in the US Women’s Open. “I felt last week that I really hit the ball well and I was putting well. Obviously, coming here, easier conditions. I think that kind of just suited my mindset for the day.”
