Pace, Bregman quick off the pace in Australia

The South African duo returned a pair of four-under-par 69s at the Royal Pines Resort in Queensland to tie for third alongside Valentine Derrey from France, Canada’s Lorrie Kane and Cheyne Woods from the United States.

The group on four-under trail by one from the American pair Jessica Korda and Katie Burnett.

Pace turned in two under with birdies at the third and ninth and turned up the heat with an eagle at the par-five 12th, followed with a birdie at the 13th. She dropped two shots in succession but recovered with a final birdie at the par-three 16th.

The 2013 LET Players Player of the Year was pretty positive about her first competitive round after a lengthy holiday.

“I hit some good shots, but a couple of really bad ones, too,” Pace said.

“I didn’t expect a 68, but I am very happy about that.”

Bregman was equally impressive.

Riding a wave of confidence after a top 15 finish at the season-opening New Zealand Women’s Open at Christchurch last week, Bregman lost the advantage of an opening birdie at the 10th to a bogey at the 13th, but rallied with a string of three birdies from the 16th to turn in three under.

Eight solid pars and a birdie at the par-five third saw her close join the chasing pack.

South Africa’s Connie Chen carded an even par 73 to tie for 40th, while compatriot Ashleigh Simon was a little slower off the mark with a one-over-par 74 for a share of 59th alongside defending champion Karrie Webb from Australia and two-time LET winner, Anna-Lise Caudal from France, among others.

– Sapa