(New York) South African Lee-Anne Pace, thanks to a cannonball return trip, where she had four of the five birdies of her day, took the lead in the PGA Championship standings, Grand Slam event, Thursday in Springfield, New Jersey after the first round.
Pace is one step ahead of China’s Lin Xiyu and Yin Ruoning and Canada’s Brooke Henderson, who share second place ahead of Thailand’s Wichanee Meechai.
“I played really well today,” said the 42-year-old South African, who has only one LPGA Tour title, won in 2014.
“No bogey, which is impressive. I putt very well, I’m very happy with this round,” she added Pace.
Henderson, who won the PGA Championship in 2016, ended his run with a birdie that allowed him to share second place with Lin Xiyu and Yin Roning, author of an eagle.
Ranking after 1er round (by 71)
- 1. Lee-Anne Pace (RSA) -5 (66)
- 2. Brooke Henderson (CAN) -4 (67)
- . Lin Xiyu (CHN) -4 (67)
- . Yin Ruoning (CHN)-4 (67)
- 5. Wichanee Meechai (THA) -3 (68)
- 6. Jenny Shin (KOR)-2 (69)
- . Yuka Saso (JPN) -2 (69)
- . Esther Henseleit (GER) -2 (69)
- . Celine Borge (NOR)-2 (69)
- . Leona Maguire (IRL) -2 (69)
- . Ayaka Furue (JPN) -2 (69)