Shi in position for maiden win

Shi Yuting, one of the emerging stars of the China women's golf scene, roared to the top of the leaderboard at the Bank of Qingdao Golden Mountain Challenge on Friday when the teenager fired a five-under 67 to take a two-shot lead in Shandong province.

Thailand's Pavarisa Yoktuan (70) and South Korean Jang So-young (70) were equal second at the China LPGA Tour event. Chinese veterans Yan Panpan (70) and Zhang Na (68) and Thais Wannasiri Sirisampant (70) and Saraporn Chamchoi (70) were equal fourth at three shots off the pace.

With the wind continuing to blast over the Golden Mountain Gold Club, the 18-year-old Shi was seven-under 137 at the 500,000-yuan championship.

Starting her round from the back nine, the teenager had a bogey-free round going through 17 holes on the strength of six birdies. At her last, the ninth, her approach shot landed left of the green. She then executed a poor chip and two-putted for her first bogey of the week.

"It was another windy day. Strong wind out there, but I managed to figure out the wind direction, and hit solid approach shots. I also took advantage of my putting, which is different from yesterday, because I was much more used to those tricky greens," said Shi, who has qualified for the US Women's Open in July.

After finishing equal third at last week's Srixon XXIO Ladies Open where she shot a final-round 64, with her strong play of late the Beijinger was confident that she was now in good position to win her first tournament since turning pro in October.

"I think my game is good enough to win on the China LPGA Tour. For past few events, I tried to have greater confidence on my game and be more positive. That why I am playing a better game," said Shi.

"I will try not to think about my finish tomorrow. I need to play solid. But what's most important is that I ought to believe in myself and the fact that I am able to do it. My strength is that I can keep a peaceful mind in severe conditions, so strong wind is fine with me. I just need to limit my mistakes as I did the last two days."

Pavarisa, winner of last year's Wuhan Challenge, survived an erratic round that included five birdies and three bogeys to stay within striking distance of leader Shi.

"Today, I still hit my irons good. I hit two bad tees shot and two bogeys from that. I had another bogey on seven when I chipped it a little bit long and couldn't make the putt. Hopefully it is still okay. Putt, approach and driver OK," said the Nakhon Si Thammarat native, winner of the Thai LPGA Championship in January.

"With the conditions like this, with wind and a little bit cold, you need to concentrate more. So I'll try my best."

After fighting back from three bogeys and getting to five-under through 14 holes, Jang couldn't make a move on leader Shi as she could only muster par golf back to the clubhouse in her afternoon round.

"Up and down," said the Changwon native, winner of last year's Beijing Challenge.

"Today, I couldn't concentrate for all 18 holes. I think that's why I have an up-and-down score. I feel so tired today, because of birdie and bogey and birdie. I had many good shots, like opportunity shots, my putt was OK," she said.

"(Tomorrow) I am going to try and concentrate every shot and try to take time to play the shots. I'm going to try to make less mistakes. That's my plan. If I play like that I can have good score."

Du Mohan, the 13-year-old amateur who was among the first-round co-leaders, ballooned to a 78 to fall 10 strokes back. Endi