ZHUHAI, China, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Yin Ruoning got her pro career off to a good start on Thursday when the Shanghai teenager carded a five-under 67 to take a one stroke lead in the opening round of the Zhuhai Hollywood Mansion Challenge in Guangdong province.
With the China LPGA Tour tournament reduced to 36 holes after the arrival of Typhoon Higos brought an end to play on Wednesday, the 17-year-old Yin held steady in the sunny but windy conditions at Orient Zhuhai Golf Club for a bogey-free round.
Fellow Chinese Du Mohan and Zhang Yunjie were a shot off the pace after each shot a first round 68 at the RMB500,000 tournament. Veteran Yang Taoli was tied fourth on 69, tied with Zhang Jienalin. Chen Siyan was the top amateur as the Hangzhou native carded a one-under 71.
The Yunnan-born Yin enters the pro ranks on the back of an impressive amateur career. In 2018, she helped China to a team bronze at the Asian Games in Indonesia. In January, she won the CLPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament as an amateur. Declaring that she was going to remain an amateur at the time, the COVID-19 virus then arrived and shut down all competitive golf in China.
"This is my pro debut where you are eager for a good start. The tournament has been reduced to 36 holes but no win would be easier. At the first event, I just want to figure out my best game because we could be rusty after a long shutdown," said Yin.
"This bogey-free round is unexpected and really nice. On the whole, it's great except some tee-shots. I made some long putts, including a 25-foot birdie putt on the 17th. I hit into the water but had a good par save at the last hole."
Zhang, who turned 22 earlier this month, came out firing with three birdies over the first four holes. After a bogey four at the par-three fifth and a double-bogey six at the next, she quickly bounced back with two consecutive birdies over the next two holes. She added two more birdies on the back nine, including one at the last, in the hunt for her first pro title.
"We haven't played for a long while. It might be eight months since the last event. I felt under pressure out of the gate but calmed down after two short birdies within 10 feet over the first two holes," said the Hainan native.
"The only mistake was that double bogey. I hit my second shot into the water with a shank. This golf course can be very difficult in the wind. Tomorrow, I will try to avoid mistakes and keep the good putting as good as today. Being one shot behind you would think more than usual. It's my first time in the final pair. I must try to play with a clear mind."
Yang put herself in contention for her fourth career win when the Sichuan native posted a round that included six birdies, including four straight starting with the 11th hole, and three bogeys.
"This golf course doesn't suit my style because my tee shots are far but unstable. I knew it entering this week. I hit twice with my driver off the tee," said the 37-year-old, the 2009 CLPGA Order of Merit champion. "I had a cold on Tuesday, which might be a blessing in disguise because I had to play conservative which you need to do here."
Notable scores included Zhang Weiwei, last year's Order of Merit winner, on even-par 72, a score matched by Liu Yan. Former US LPGA Tour regular Feng Simin was a stroke back at 73. Enditem
