GUANGZHOU, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Five birdies over her final nine holes separated Renuka Suksukont from the pack at the CTBC Ladies Classic on Thursday as the Thai opened with a six-under 66 for a two-shot lead in Guangdong province.
Henan native Zhang Jienalin (68) was in second at the RMB800,000 tournament, co-sanctioned by the China LPGA and TLPGA Tour at Guangdong Dragon Lake Golf Club.
Chinese Taipei amateur Hsuan Chen (69) was three strokes off the pace with China's Shi Yuting and Thai Parinda Phokan a stroke further back at 70.
Starting her early morning round off on the Dragon Lake back nine, Renuka, a 22-year-old from Pathum Thani who was equal eighth last weekend in Zhuhai, made the turn at one-under 35. She then turned it on with five birdies over her last nine holes.
"Actually the front nine of the course is more difficult than the back nine. The bunkers are difficult, it's hard to shoot the ball out of the bunker. It's difficult to stop the ball on the greens. I felt nervous since I got to four-under today. I didn't think I will play well at this course, today is better than I expected," said Renuka who got her maiden CLPGA Tour win in December with a wire-to-wire victory at the ICTSI Philippines Ladies Masters.
"I just want to make cut before the event because I missed the cut in five event this year before playing in Zhuhai. I don't have much confidence. Today I find my feeling. Tomorrow I will keep following my plan."
Zhang, who tied for 10th last week in Zhuhai, held steady over the Dragon Lake layout that hosted the 2010 Asian Games to post a bogey-free round featuring four birdies.
"I've been kind of stable in the new season. Although this is the third event in a row this year, I am not tired; it means that the off-season training works. In winter I mainly improved my stability and physical fitness, trained my strength and explosiveness," said the 21-year-old who turned pro in 2015.
"I also want to thank the CLPGA for its co-sanctioned events. I learned a lot in the Brunei Ladies Open, the players and caddies from South Korea taught me a lot. I think that is the reason why I play well in this week."
Guangzhou Dragon Lake Golf Club is a 6,533-yard, par-72 layout designed by Dick Davidson.
CTBC Ladies Classic first round leading scores (China unless stated; * denotes amateur):
66 – Renuka Suksukont (Thailand)
68 – Zhang Jienalin
69 – Hsuan Chen* (Chinese Taipei)
70 – Shu Yuting, Parinda Phokan (Thailand)
71 – Chen Yu-ju (Chinese Taipei), Wanchana Poruangrong (Thailand), Futaba Takamoto (Japan), Supamas Sangchan (Thailand), Pavarisa Yoktuan (Thailand), Connie Chen (South Africa)
72 – Wannasiri Sirisampant (Thailand), Lynn Chiu (Chinese Taipei), Sui Xiang, Liu Yiyi, Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang (Thailand), Pauline del Rosario (Philippines), Punpaka Phuntumabamrung (Thailand), Amanda Tan (Singapore).
