Vikki Laing runner-up to Lee-Anne Pace in Ladies Swiss Open

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITESouth African Lee-Anne Pace claimed her maiden Ladies European Tour victory at the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open at Golf Gerre Losone today.
The 29-year-old from Mossel Bay, who trailed by two shots overnight, won with a total of 12 under par 204 after rounds of 69, 67 and 68. First prize was worth 78,750 Euros
Scotland’s Vikki Laing, who earned 53,287 Euros, closed with a three under 69 to finish second on 11 under par, with England’s Georgina Simpson a stroke back in third.
Pace was delighted by her victory, at the third biggest event on the 2010 Ladies European Tour schedule.
“It’s great. I can’t stop smiling,” she said. “My lips hurt, my cheeks hurt, but it’s awesome.
“I won in South Africa but it was a much smaller tournament. This is huge for me. This means everything. I started the week thinking, ‘okay, I have to do well this week.’ Then after two days, I’m like, ‘I have a chance to win,’ not trying to think too much. I was hitting the ball well and the putting was good.”
The win was the result of changing her putter and swing ahead of the tournament, having worked on her game with golf coach James Petts the previous week in Denmark.
“I changed my swing last week. I worked a bit with my coach last week to get it back a bit more on plane. It was a bit high so I worked to get it a bit lower and get my hands inside a little bit more. I’m hitting more of a draw and I’m hitting it longer a little bit. I changed my putter which is the main thing,” she said.
FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3x72)
204 Lee-Anne Pace (South Africa) 69 67 68 (78,750 Euros).
205 Vikki Laing (Kings Acre Golf Academy) 66 70 69 (53,287 Euros).
206 Georgina Simpson (England) 66 68 72 (36,750 Euros)
207 Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (France) 71 68 68, Frances Bondad (Australia) 68 68 70 Kristie Smith (Australia) 65 70 72
209 Carin Koch (Sweden) 71 70 68, Jade Schaeffer (France) 70 67 72.
Selected scores:
210 Krystle Caithness (Scotland) 69 70 71 (jt 9th) (9,880 Euros).
211 Melissa Reid (England) 70 72 69 (jt 14th).
212 Becky Brewerton (Wales) 71 71 70(jt 22nd).
213 Trish Johnson(England) 70 69 74 (jt 24th).
214 Rebecca Coakley (Ireland) 69 72 73 (jt 32nd)
215 Elizabeth Bennett (England_) 72 73 70, Lisa Hall (England) 70 75 70 (jt 39th).
217 Sophie Walker (England) 70 74 73, Lydia Hall (Wales) 73 72 72, Rebecca Hudson (England) 74 71 72 (jt 48th).