Pace tops Clyburn in playoff to win in South Africa

Hibiscus Coast, South Africa (SportsNetwork.com) – Lee-Anne Pace defeated Holly Clyburn in a playoff on Sunday to earn a victory at the South African Women’s Open.

Pace, who shot a final-round, 5-under 67, finished regulation play tied with Clyburn (70) at 5-under-par 211. The win is Pace’s third on the Ladies European Tour and her first since winning twice last year.

Beginning the day at even par for the week, Pace needed to make a serious move up the leaderboard if she wanted to have a chance at San Lameer Country Club. Pace made birdie at the first, but a bogey on No. 3 dropped her back to even. She traded a birdie on No. 5 with another bogey on No. 7 as well.

A birdie on nine got Pace going. After three straight pars from No. 10, Pace made an eagle on the par-5 13th, getting her to minus-3. She finished off strong with two more birdies on 16 and 18 to take the clubhouse lead at 5- under.

Clyburn had a bogey-free round on Sunday, but she made just two birdies on one and 13 to go along with 16 pars.

Gwladys Nocera finished alone in third place at 3-under 213 after a final- round 70. Florentyna Parker (68), Georgina Simpson (69), Valentine Derrey (71) and Ann-Kathrin Lindner (73) ended tied for fourth at 2-under 214.

Categorized in: LPGA