Huang one shot clear in Wuhan

WUHAN, June 1 (Xinhua) -- A bogey-free round proved the difference for Huang Ching on Friday as the Chinese Taipei veteran fired a five-under 67 to take a one stroke lead through two rounds of the Orient Masters Wuhan Challenge.

Huang, currently sitting 45th on the China LPGA Tour Order of Merit, was eight-under 136 through 36 holes at Orient Wuhan.

Thailand's Wanchana Poruangrong was alone in second after carding a 68 at the RMB500,000 tournament in Hubei.

China's Zhang Yunjie (72) and Yuan Hexi (70) were equal third at five shots back, tied with Filipina Pauline del Rosario (68) and Thais Narisara Kerdrit (68) and Kanyalak Preedasuttijit (70).

Starting her round in the early morning, Huang made the most of the calm conditions to pick up birdies on holes two and six to make the turn at five-under. She then moved to the top of the leaderboard with three consecutive birdies starting from the 189-yard, par-three 14th hole.

"I was a little bit tired on the back nine. I kept eating bananas and drinking water to maintain my physical strength," said the 21-year-old Huang who turned pro in 2013.

"The scores of these two days are much better than I expected. I am happy about that. This week is a good opportunity to get my first win on the CLPGA Tour. I hope I can maintain my good condition tomorrow."

Wanchana, one of the four overnight co-leaders, put herself in contention for her first win on Tour with a round that included five birdies and a bogey at the 14th hole.

"I got eight continuous pars at the beginning of today. I was more aggressive on the back nine where I got four birdies, but I still missed two six-foot birdie chances," said the 24-year-old who was equal second at the Hengin Phoenix Tree Building Orient Golf Challenge in March.

"Tomorrow I will play the same as today and the first round, focus on my shots."

China's Wang Jiayi was the top amateur as the teenager carded a 69 to sit in equal sixth at six shots back. Enditem