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Lee-Ann sets the Pace in Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open

Abu Dhabi - The Thirty-five-year-old South African led the leaderboard with a six-under par

South Africa's Lee-Ann Pace leads the field of the world's best women's golfers, as the second edition of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open teed off on Wednesday at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
Thirty-five-year-old Pace led the leaderboard at the end of the opening round, with 6-under par on the stunning beachfront course, just one shot ahead of the chasing pack, five of whom all finished on 5-under par. Seven fellow players follow closely behind on 4-under par.
Lee-Ann Pace started the afternoon with a birdie-filled front nine, a performance which pleased the South African despite having to contend with the course's quick greens,
Pace said: "I played nicely and made quite a few putts and was successful with long putts too, including one from off the green, which I was lucky with being honest. The Par 5's are reachable here, along with a couple of short Par 4's too, so it's important to take advantage and birdie these holes."
Brit Georgia Hall who came so close in 2016 as runner-up, commented earlier this week that it would be 'great to go one better' and win the milestone event this year, and her round today certainly backs up her statement. The 21 year old - who currently sits just three shots off the leader after today's round- racked up a total of seven birdies throughout her round to follow closely behind on 3-under par.
Hall said: "I played really well today, I hit loads of greens, my long game was really good, I just couldn't hole anything on the front nine.
She added: "I could have easily hit seven-under today. The greens were a little hard to read on the front nine, because you've got to read the grain too but it's a solid start for day one. I've played the first round now so I am off and going, hopefully I can just putt a little better tomorrow."
The first day was a fitting start to the second edition of the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Open, which remains the country's first professional women's golf tournament. Bright sunshine drew in the crowds, who swept through the gates and avidly followed the first day leaders around the course.