Off the wire
• China, Azerbaijan pledge to deepen cooperation  • Urgent: 17 civilians kidnapped in N. Afghan province: official  • Former nurse demands state compensation for wrongful conviction  • China gearing up for college entrance exam  • Roundup: Latin America marks Children's Day by efforts to create better childhood  • Tokyo stocks close sharply lower as tax hike delay, Brexit concerns sends yen higher  • Cambodia reports 3rd case of measles after measles-free declaration last year  • Roundup: S.Korea urges Japan to fulfill "comfort women" agreement amid disputes over statue  • Firm faces delisting over IPO fraud  • 1st LD Writethru: Chinese shares close higher Thursday  
You are here: 　 Home

China's Zhang early leader in CLPGA Tour event

Xinhua, June 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

China's Zhang Jienalin fired a three-under 69 on Wednesday to take the first-round lead at the Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Challenge, a new China LPGA Tour event in Jiangsu province.

Thailand's Ploychompoo Wirairungrueng and Switzerland's Anais Maggetti were one shot off the pace following rounds of 70. Thais Pakpring Duangchan and Nattagate Nimitpongkul were equal fourth after shooting 71 at the Shuangshan Golf Course, tied with South Koreans Jang So-young and Kim Ji-min, China's Pan Yanhong and Chinese Taipei's Yeh Hsin-ning.

The 500,000-yuan tournament, being held about 90 minutes north-west of Shanghai, was created to give players one more opportunity to earn world ranking points ahead of the upcoming Rio Olympic Games. In Brazil, golf will be returning to the Olympic roster for the first time since 1904.

Starting her day from the 10th hole in the early morning, Zhang, a second-year pro, got her round going with consecutive birdies starting at the 12th hole. She then picked up another stroke at the 356-yard 16th hole, before carding a bogey at the next. On the front nine, her back nine, she could only muster a lone birdie three at the 400-yard third hole before playing par golf back to the clubhouse.

"It's a little bit cold and windy today compared to the last two days in Shuangshan Island, but I think it helped me a lot this morning. It's a quick start for me," said the 20-year-old Henan native who is back playing China after losing her card on the Ladies European Tour.

"The strategy preparation is the key to getting the good score. The approach shots and the ability to save par are important as well. Because there is lots of water around the green I didn't save par successfully and took a bogey at hole 17. It's my first time in Shuangshan golf course. This is a quiet and beautiful island. I enjoy staying here very much."

After carding three bogeys through the first 11 holes, Ploychompoo rebounded to shoot three birdies over the last six holes to put herself in contention.

"The golf course is fantastic, especially the greens. They keep it in a very good shape for the tournament. I really like this course," said the Thai. "The short game was good, especially the approach to the green. The putting is not bad. Hope it can be better tomorrow." Endit