Chinese rookie Yan shines at Xiamen Open

China's Yan Jing grabbed a share of the second-round lead at the Xiamen Open International on Sunday when the rookie pro carded a seven-under 65 to draw even with French veteran Gwladys Nocera (68) at nine-under par in Fujian province.

Thailand's Kusuma Meechai (69) was two shots back in third at the tournament co-sponsored by the China LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour (LET). England's Hannah Burke (69) and Liz Young (68), Chinese Taipei's Chien Pei-yun (67) and Australian Stacey Keating (68) were equal fourth at three shots off the pace.

Yan, who has had limited starts on the US LPGA Tour this season, got her game going at the fourth hole with her first of three birdies in a row. After dropping her only stroke of the round at the par-three seventh, she rebounded for two more birdies to make the turn at four-under 33. On the back nine of Orient Xiamen Golf and Country Club she picked up three more birdies, including at the par-three 15th hole where she sank a 35-foot putt.

"Today I made some nice putts. It's something I've been working on with my father, so overall I improved a lot," said the 19-year-old Yan, a Shanghai native who is based out of Singapore.

"I know Gwladys (Nocera) is a great player. We competed for a trophy in Suzhou some years ago (2013). It was a very intense competition. I have played with her the past two days and I'm looking forward to playing in the final group with her again. It will be great."

Overnight leader Nocera carded a bogey-free round as the 40-year-old had four birdies, including one at the last to hang on to a share of the lead.

"I think I have to keep on hitting the ball like I'm doing. I hit the ball better today, so it was good. I think I am playing better every day, so that's a really good thing before the weekend. If I keep on improving my game I think I have a lot of chances," said the European Solheim Cup player who is looking for her 15th LET title.

"I'm just going to stay focused on what I have to do and we'll see. There's still two rounds to play, so it's a lot of golf. I won 14 events. I know I choose to win. I know I want to win really bad because I learned that, because that's my best feeling. I'll do my best. I know how to do it, it's a matter of doing it."

Kusuma, winner of the Wuhan Challenge in 2013, stayed closed to the leaders when she birdied her last hole, the ninth hole, after starting her round on the back nine. The 20-year-old had six birdies and three bogeys in her round.

"I'm just going to do the same thing tomorrow, hit it to the green and putt. I'm a good putter. Two shot behind is not that much, so it gives me a chance," said the native of Sakaeo province in eastern Thailand.

China's Jin Man (71) was the top amateur at six shots off the lead. Endit