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South Korea's Suh takes early lead at Wuhan Classic

Xinhua, September 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

South Korean veteran Suh Bo-mi fired a six-under 66 to take the first-round lead at the Wenzhou Challenge on Thursday, two strokes ahead of Chinese teenager Shi Yuting (68) at the China LPGA Tour event in Hubei province.

Playing under extremely hot conditions in central China, Chinese Taipei's Yeh Hsin-ning and Chang Hsuan-ping and Thais Wichanee Meechai and Wannasiri Sirisampant were equal third after carding rounds of 69 at Orient Wuhan.

Defending champion Pavarisa Yoktuan of Thailand was four strokes off the pace after a 70, tied for equal seventh with China's Lu Yuexia and amateur Luo Ying.

Suh, who is trying to end a winless streak dating backing to 2009 when she captured the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open crown, started her round on the Orient Wuhan back nine in one of the last groups of the day. After making the turn at two-under 36, she picked up the pace on her back nine (the front nine) when she reeled off five birdies, including her final two holes, against a lone bogey.

"I always focus on my game, that' s the key to get the good score. My tee shots and the second shots are pretty good as well. Some holes are good for player to get birdies, some holes are really tricky," said the 34-year-old Seoul native.

"This summer, I practised a lot and played three tournaments in (South)Korea. The results are just making cut and not good. For tomorrow, I will still focus on my game and not think too much."

The 17-year-old Shi also started on the back nine and carded an adventurous round that included two eagles, three birdies and two bogeys. Her eagles came on the 351-yard 18th hole (her ninth hole), when her shot with a 58-degree wedge found the cup from 106 yards out to get her to three-under at the turn. On the 315-yard second hole (her 11th hole), she holed it with a 50-degree wedge from 40 yards out to get to five-under.

"Today is very lucky, I never had two eagles in one round before. The two eagles gave me more confidence this week," said the Beijing native.

"My driver and iron play was very good today, especially the shots to the green. I'm satisfied with my performance for the opening round. My driving distance is longer than before and my iron play has improved a lot as well. I'm so happy about the improvement. My putting is not that good and I will work on making more time for putting practice." Endi