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Three share early lead in Shanghai Ladies Golf Classic

Xinhua, June 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

Japan's Kumi Uchiyama and Thais Supamas Sangchan and Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras set the early pace at the Shanghai Ladies Classic on Friday as each opened with five-under 67 to share the first-round lead at Tianma Country Club.

Chinese Taipei's Yeh Hsing-ning and Cheng Ssu-chia were equal third after a 68 in the China LPGA Tour and LPGA of Chinese Taipei co-sanctioned tournament.

China's Pan Yanhong, winner of last week's Beijing Challenge, was two shots off the lead with a 69, tied with compatriot Xu Juan, Chinese Taipei's Lin Tzu-chi and Thai's Wichanee Meechai and Thanuttra Boonraksasat.

Supamas, one of many impressive rookie pros in the field, started on the back nine and came out firing with six birdies in her first nine holes.

"I set myself up good on the first three holes and the putts were all three to four yards. Today everything was nice and I could make it. I was lucky. The driver was going well and I hit many fairways," said the 19-year-old Sukathai native who led Thailand to a team gold medal at last year's Asian Games in South Korea.

"Tomorrow I will play like today, use the same strategy, play my own game."

Pannarat carded ended her round strongly with four consecutive birdies to grab a share of the lead.

"Today my game was good, my driver, the irons. I'm happy," said the 17-year-old rookie pro. "I didn't see what others were doing, I just concentrated on my swing. Tomorrow, I'll just do the same again."

Despite carding a bogey-free round that started with back-to-back birdies, the 35-year-old Uchiyama was not happy with her play.

"My shots is not good today. I missed many, many shots," said the Tokyo native, a fourth-year-pro who is playing full-time on the TLPGA this year after losing her card in Japan.

Cheng, a 17-year-old rookie pro who won four times as an amateur before turning pro late last year, carded a birdie on the final hole to move into contention for her first win of the year.

"I missed some putts and had a slow start on the front nine. But I told myself that I am closer and closer. I need to settle down. I did it. I played great on the back nine," said the teenager. "Tomorrow, I just need to pay attention to some long and tough par-four holes. The winning score could be 10 to 15 under. I just had a great round today."

Yeh, who has been playing six weeks in a row, said her energy level was not a problem today.

"I adjusted well and today everything went well, driver, irons and putting all great. I just missed some short putts, but those are acceptable," she said.

Chou Yi-tsen of Chinese Taipei was the top amateur after a 71, four shots behind the leaders. Endi