A very simple gameplan of having fun brought the biggest smiles to Paraguay’s Julieta Granada and Celeste Troche as they dominated the opening day’s singles in the Women’s World Cup of Golf on Friday.
Granada carded a two under par 70 and Troche a three under 69 on the Gary Player Country Club course for a total of five under par and a four-stroke lead over Korea.
Giulia Sergas led the Italian cause as they finished the day at one over alongside Scotland, where Mhairi McKay’s 69 was the key round against Janice Moodie’s 76.
Hosts South Africa and defending champions Sweden struggled to totals of 13 over par.
In a team tournament where strategy plays a key role, the Paraguayans employed the simplest and most successful one as they made a strong bid for a first World Cup title on their debut in the 22-nation event.
“Our goal was just to have fun,” said Troche. “We practise and play a lot together so we know each other and our games. It’s all about having fun. If you can enjoy yourself and enjoy each other’s company, that’s what it takes.”
Even as they recounted the only low point of their day, Troche’s double bogey seven on the fifth hole, both players couldn’t stop smiling.
“We’re just going to go and have fun and hit the best shots we can. We’re not going to get upset with each other,” added Granada, whose only knowledge of this course was a few words of warning from coach David Leadbetter about the kikuyu rough.
Granada and Troche could make a tremendous impact for a country which has only six golf courses and few women golfers.
“Women’s golf is not very big in Paraguay,” said Troche. “But the game is growing. There are more juniors coming through now so I think we have a big future ahead of us.”
At 20 years old, Granada is seen as the brightest star of their women’s game. Even more so after her victory in the LPGA Tour’s ADT Championship last year where her $1-million first prize was the richest in the history of the women’s game.
“With Julieta and Carlos Franco setting a great example, I think we’re heading the right way,” said Troche.
South Africa’s Laurette Maritz and Ashleigh Simon will be desperate to head the right way up the leaderboard following a disappointing singles performance. Maritz carded a 77 and Simon an 80 to see them tied for 16th place.
Maritz was solid on the front nine as she carried the team while Simon went out in four over par. But both players lost their rhythm on the back nine, each returning home in 40.
“We’re very disappointed with our score,” said Maritz. Simon was perplexed as to the reasons for her 80. “I shot four under in the pro-am, but something obviously went very wrong today.”
With the singles out of the way and the foursomes and betterball ahead on the weekend, Paraguay will be hard to catch.
But Scotland’s Moodie believes it’s not an impossible task.
“We’re pretty satisfied with our score and I think there are a number of teams that can still catch Paraguay. But to do that both players in the team have to play really well.”
Pos. Score -Par+ Name Represents
1 139 -5 J. Granada & C. Troche Paraguay
2 143 -1 Y Kim & J. Shin Korea
3= 145 +1 V Zorzi & G Sergas Italy
M McKay & J C Moodie Scotland
5 146 +2 L T Brooky & E M McKinnon New Zealand
6= 148 +4 R D Brewerton & B Morgan Wales
N Garrett & L Wright Australia
8= 149 +5 K-M Juul & I Tinning Denmark
J Inkster & P Hurst United States of America
10= 150 +6 R E Hakkarainen & J L Kuosa Finland
A Hung & Y P Lin Taiwan
12= 154 +10 L.J. Davies & P.M. Johnson England
M C Hannemann & M P Iida Brazil
14= 155 +11 S Moromizato & M. Ueda Japan
A B Sanchez & T Elosegui Spain
16= 157 +13 G Nocera & S Arricau France
H.C. Alfredsson & ACP Koch Sweden
L Maritz & A S Simon (Am) South Africa
19= 160 +16 R Coakley & H M Kavanagh Ireland
L K Saether & M Skarpnord Norway
21 165 +21 A Monke & D Simon Germany
22 169 +25 R. Nialiaka & J. Njoroge Kenya
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