Pan ready to sizzle in Shanghai

Pan Yanhong, fresh from her second victory of the season last Saturday at the Beijing Challenge, is confident she can fend off Chinese Taipei's top players and win a third title at the CTBC Shanghai Ladies Classic, which tees off on Friday.

"I'm ready to face all the challengers in Shanghai with the best of myself," said the 32-year-old Hebei native, who was a provincial weightlifting champion before turning to golf in 2002. "I won two titles last season. I have two more in the pocket so far this year and hopefully the Shanghai event will be my third victory. As long as I can keep my consistency and form, I can win more this season."

Pan, who will be making her US Women's Open debut next month, said age is never a problem and her experiences as a pro weightlifter gave her a never-say-die personality and tough mind-set, which are a big help in her golf career.