Lee-Anne Pace stands as one of South Africa’s most accomplished professional golfers, with over two decades of excellence spanning multiple international tours.
Her remarkable journey from starting golf at 18 to becoming a global champion has captivated fans worldwide and inspired countless young athletes.
Lee-Anne Pace’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lee-Anne Pace |
| Date of Birth | February 15, 1981 |
| Age | 44 years old |
| Birthplace | Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Education | Murray State University (Kentucky), University of Tulsa (Psychology degree) |
| Turned Professional | 2005 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1.5-2.0 million |
| Career Earnings | Over $2.0 million (LPGA Tour) |
| Spouse |
Early Career
Lee-Anne Pace’s golf journey began uniquely compared to most professional golfers. She started playing golf at the remarkable age of 18, which is considered very late in the sport.
Her introduction to golf came while caddying for her father Francois at the Mossel Bay Golf Club when a visiting professional noticed her natural talent while she was casually hitting balls after her father’s round. The professional encouraged her father to get Lee-Anne proper coaching, recognizing her potential despite her late start.
At 19, Pace took a dedicated year off to focus entirely on golf development. Her commitment paid off as she earned opportunities to study and compete in the United States. She initially attended Murray State University in Kentucky, where she excelled in collegiate golf and won the 2003 Ohio Valley Conference Championship.
Later, she transferred to the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, where she completed her psychology degree while continuing to develop her golf skills. Her final year at Tulsa proved pivotal as she earned second-team All-American honors in 2005, setting the stage for her professional career.
Professional Career
Pace turned professional and immediately made her mark on the international golf scene. Her early professional years involved competing on various tours to establish herself.
She qualified for the LPGA Tour in 2007 but lost her card at the end of that season. This setback led her to the Ladies European Tour, where she qualified for the 2008 season through qualifying school.
The year 2010 became her breakthrough season, marking one of the most dominant performances in Ladies European Tour history. Pace achieved an extraordinary feat by winning five tournaments in just four months: the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open, S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe, Finnair Masters, Sanya Ladies Open, and Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open.
This remarkable run earned her the LET Order of Merit title with earnings of €339,517 from 25 events, plus a €20,000 bonus and a 10-year exemption to the Ladies European Tou. She became the first South African to win the European No. 1 title and was named LET Player of the Year.
Caddie
Lee-Anne Pace has worked with different caddies throughout her career, with one particularly notable partnership involving young Jere Brits. Jere Brits, a 16-year-old amateur golfer from Durbanville Golf Club and former Bridge Fund Managers Junior Series winner, has caddied for Pace during significant tournaments.
He is the son of one of Pace’s close friends and has proven invaluable with his local course knowledge and understanding of South African conditions.
Pace has praised Brits extensively for his contributions, crediting him for her success in several tournaments. She described him as “absolutely brilliant” with clubbing decisions, reading greens, and providing strategic advice.
Their partnership represents a unique mentoring relationship where Pace appreciates learning from the young caddie’s fresh perspective and local expertise. This collaboration has been particularly effective during Sunshine Ladies Tour events, where Brits’s familiarity with South African golf courses provides a competitive advantage.
Lee-Anne Pace’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Lee-Anne Pace’s estimated net worth ranges between $1.5-2.0 million.
Career Earnings
| Year | Tour | Earnings | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | LPGA Tour | $21,475 | Limited tournament participation |
| 2013 | Ladies European Tour | €250,927 | Three LET victories, second in Order of Merit |
| 2010 | Ladies European Tour | €339,517 | Five wins, Order of Merit winner, Player of the Year |
| 2014 | LPGA Tour | $68,115 | Blue Bay LPGA victory (first LPGA win) |
| Career Total | LPGA Tour | Over $2.0 million | Spanning 2007-2025 |
Career Statistics
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| LPGA Tour Wins | 1 (2014 Blue Bay LPGA) |
| Ladies European Tour Wins | 1123 |
| Sunshine Ladies Tour Wins | 15 |
| South African Women’s Open Wins | 5 (record) |
| Career Top 10s (LPGA) | 8 |
| Career Top 25s (LPGA) | 29 |
| LPGA Tour Debut | 2007 |
| Major Championship Best | T6 (2015 Evian Championship) |
| Order of Merit Wins | 1 (2010 Ladies European Tour) |
| Hole-in-One Achievements | First LPGA career ace |
FAQs
1. When did Lee-Anne Pace start playing golf professionally?
Pace turned professional after graduating from the University of Tulsa with a psychology degree. She qualified for the LPGA Tour in 2007 but gained prominence on the Ladies European Tour starting.
2. What is Lee-Anne Pace’s most significant career achievement?
Her 2010 Ladies European Tour season stands out, where she won five tournaments in four months and claimed the Order of Merit title. This made her the first South African to earn European No. 1 status.
3. How many victories does Lee-Anne Pace have on the LPGA Tour?
Pace has one LPGA Tour victory: the 2014 Blue Bay LPGA in China. She won by three strokes in a rain-shortened 54-hole event, marking her sole LPGA title to date.
4. What recent milestone did Lee-Anne Pace achieve?
Pace scored her first career hole-in-one on the LPGA Tour during the ShopRite LPGA Classic. She aced the par-3 15th hole, a notable moment after 18 years on tour.
5. How many times has Lee-Anne Pace won the South African Women’s Open?
Pace holds the record with five South African Women’s Open victories (2014, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022). Her 2021 win at age 40 made her the oldest champion in the event’s history.
