Thai teen Saranporn leads CTBC Ladies Open

Saranporn Langkulgaettrin roared to the top of the CTBC Ladies Open leaderboard on Friday as the 16-year-old Thai fired a seven-under 65 to take a three-stroke lead through two rounds of the co-sponsored event between the China and Taiwan LPGA Tours.

With the skies overcast and threatening to rain, Saranporn carded eight birdies and a lone bogey to get to 10-under 134 through 36 holes at Orient (Taipei) Golf and Country Club. China's Yang Taoli, the overnight co-leader, was alone in second after a 69, while Chinese Taipei's Teresa Lu (65), Malaysian Aretha Pan (67) and China's Shi Yuting (69) and Zhang Weiwei (69) were equal third at four strokes off the pace.

Saranporn, a three-time winner on the All Thailand Golf Tour this year, including last week in Khon Kaen, demonstrated why she may be the next breakout Thai with a masterful round that saw her fire eight birdies through the first 11 holes.

"I feel very confident to play here. My aim today is eight-under. I didn't expect I could play so well. I have to say my irons were hot and my putting was good as well, even though I missed two birdie chances," said the Phuket native who turned pro in March.

"Tomorrow, I will try and get under par just as today. I heard about the CLPGA Tour a lot but I didn't go there because they have a minimum age limit of 17. I will go next year."

Yang, who returned to competition golf earlier this year after a three-year break to get married and have a child, continued to show progress in her comeback with a bogey-free round of three under.

"My performance today is steady. My irons were solid but I missed a few birdie chances with my putting, especially on the front nine. At the back nine, my putting was better. Getting two more birdies gave me more confidence," said the Sichuan native, winner of the 2009 China LPGA Tour Order of Merit.

"For the final round, I will not push myself a lot. I will try to enjoy my game, enjoy golf, and see what's going to happen."

Lu, the top-ranked player in the field at world No. 29, got herself back into contention after an opening-round 73 by posting a scorching back nine that included four birdies and an eagle three at the par-five last.

"I played more solid than yesterday. The irons were pretty good, 16 on the green. I missed some birdie chances in the front nine because the putting was a little bit short. I tried harder in the back nine," said the 28-year-old, a 10-time winner on the Japan Tour.

"For the final round, I will tell myself just get the irons on the green, no short putting and get the birdie chances."

Beijing teenager Shi shot her second consecutive round of three-under to stay in the hunt, but lamented her putting.

"I missed many three to five yards putts. But everything is steady, just normal, so there are no ups and downs," she said. "For the final round, hope I can putt better, try to get some mid-distance putts. I wish I could be more confident tomorrow, keep steady and play solid."

Hou Yu-sang was the top amateur as the teenager continued her strong play with a round of 70 for a score of three-under 141 through 36 holes.

Panuma Vitayakonkomal, the overnight co-leader, fell out of contention as the Thai shot a 74 to sit eight strokes back. Endit