Beijing teenager Shi leads in Zhuhai

China's Shi Yuting opened up a two-shot lead during second-round play of the fog-delayed Zhuhai Hengqin Phoenix Tree Building Challenge on Friday when the teenager carded a five-under 67 to get to three-under 141.

Compatriot Zhang Wei stayed close at Orient Zhuhai with a three-under 69, tied with South Korean Jang So-young (67) in equal second at the RMB500,000 China LPGA Tour event in southern Guangdong province. Thais Prima Thammaraks (68) and Thanuttra Boonraksasat (70) were equal fourth at three shots off the pace.

Chen Liqin (73), the overnight co-leader, was four strokes back, tied for sixth with Chinese amateur Du Mohan (70) and Thailand's Nattagate Nimitpongkul (70).

With fog delaying play in the morning for nearly 2 1/2 hours, 23 players will finish their second round early Saturday morning.

Beijing native Shi put herself in contention for her first pro title when the 18-year-old got an early start off the 10th tee and posted a round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys. It was the second year in a row that she had led in Zhuhai going into the final round. Last year, she held a one-stroke lead but could only muster a closing 74 to finish two strokes behind Chinese-Taipei winner Babe Liu.

"It seems similar, but you know that I am now calm and undisturbed. I am grown-up with a better game. I will face it and give my best shot in the final round with much more confidence," said Shi, who has qualified for the US Women's Open the past two years.

"My swing was good yesterday. My only problem was that I made nothing. The putts were not in. It's all about my mental game. I made some little adjustment at night. I stood over the ball and didn't hesitate today. It helped a lot. I made some nice putts today.

"We are in a lucky group. We finished this round today and need not to get up early next morning to try to finish this. It's the nature of golf. It could be a good sign for me to break through."

Jang tied Shi for low-round of the tournament on the strength of six birdies against a lone birdie.

"Yeah, a good round today. I was focused on concentrating and it did work because yesterday I couldn't concentrate. I don't know why, too much thinking. So my goal was to concentrate today and keep it simple," said the 24-year-old.

Starting from the 10th hole, Jang got to two-under when she birdied the sixth hole. Play was then stopped for the fog. After the delay she came back and dropped her only shot of the day with a bogey five at the seventh hole.

"I think I would have continued to play well if it wasn't for the weather," she said. "But I have a chance to win. I'm not going to think about the score (tomorrow). I just want to concentrate on my shots one by one and try to play my game."

Thailand's Pavarisa Yoktuan, the overnight co-leader, struggled to an eight-over 80 to fall 11 strokes off the lead.

Zhuhai Hengqin Phoenix Tree Building Challenge second round leading scores (China unless stated; * denotes amateur):

141 - Shi Yuting 74-67

143 - Zhang Weiwei 74-69, Jang So-young (South Korea) 76-67

144 - Prima Thammaraks (Thailand) 76 -68, Thanuttra Boonraksasat (Thailand) 74-70

145 - Chen Liqin 72-73, Du Mohan* 75-70, Nattagate Nimitpongkul (Thailand) 75-70

147 - Zhou Jiayi 77-70, Renuka Suksukont (Thailand) 77-70

148 - Wichanee Meechai (Thailand) 79-69, Saraporn Chamchoi (Thailand) 73-75, Ji Yifan* 74-74

Endi