China LPGA Tour swings across the Strait

The China LPGA Tour swings across the Taiwan Strait on Thursday as the 2015 CTBC Ladies Open tees off in Taipei.

The 54-hole event is being contested at the Orient (Taipei) Golf and Country Club, the original club of the Orient Golf chain that now numbers 15 venues across the Strait.

While the success of the tournament, now in its fourth year and co-sponsored by the China LPGA Tour and the LPGA of Taiwan Tour (TLPGA) for the past two seasons, continues to grow, it has yet to be won by a player from either side of the Strait.

Cheng Ssu-chia came close to ending the drought last year when the Chinese Taipei star lost in a third-hole playoff last year to Thailand's Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro. After winning four times as an amateur against pro fields, the 17-year-old is still looking for her first winner's check since turning pro at the end of last year.

Earlier this month, she was equal 55th at the Evian Championship in France.

"I just returned home from France. I am glad to make cut at the final major. I am playing well. I came back to Taiwan and I am coming back to my home course, Orient Taipei. This is my sponsor's event. I feel comfortable with everything here. I am looking forward to Thursday," said Cheng following her practice round on Wednesday.

With four top-10 finishes on the TLPGA this year, including a runner-up and an equal runner-up, the teenager was looking to go one better this week.

"I had some chances at the beginning of the year, but I think I was thinking ahead of myself and was too eager for a win. It didn't work. A half year has gone by now and I am more experienced as I played a lot more events on the LET tour. I was always on the way. I had no time to think about win or not. That might be good for me."

Also in the field is Hsu Wei-ling, the US LPGA Tour regular, who returned home this week after earning US$226,176 stateside this year to sit 59th on the money list.

"Entering this season I set some goals. The first goal is top 80 in the LPGA money list, which can help me be fully exempted to the next season. The second goal is top 60. I made it. I am able to play all the Asia Swing events until the Japan leg because of it. This is a great achievement for a rookie," said the 21-year-old.

"I came back to Asia and it is pleasing that now I can play an event organized by my sponsor and a LPGA event in Taiwan. All the players in this field want the trophy. But you cannot force it. You have to try your best to play a shot by a shot. I know this course well from tee to green from years of experience. But the greens are really tricky. You have to read your lines well and try to avoid three-putts."

Looking to spoil the Chinese Taipei reunion is defending champion Pimpadsorn who captured her first overseas win at last year's tournament.

The Chiang mai native said she had been working on swing changes and had lost some of her confidence. This week, her goal was to play well.

"If I keep thinking that I have to defend the championship, I'm not sure I will win. I'm not trying to forget. I'm not going in with the attitude that I have to win this week. I won last year and yes, I have experience, but sometimes if you know too much you put pressure on yourself."

Among players looking to do well is Yan Panpan. The Chinese veteran earned her first pro win in her native Qingdao in May and comes into Taipei after posting a fifth-place finish last week at the China Team Championship.

"I played decent last week, but I had a really bad score in the third round. I came back very well and had a 70 on the last day. Beyond the score, I feel good about my strategy and execution," she said.

"Hopefully I can keep it going this week and play much more consistent. I believe in me. I have played here several times and it feels familiar. Those sloping, grainy greens are tricky, but they are fair for everyone." Endi