Thais set early pace at CTBC Shanghai Ladies Classic

The Thailand duo of Supamas Sangchan and Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras and Kumi Uchiyama of Japan got the CTBC Shanghai Ladies Classic off to a sizzling start on Friday as they opened with five-under 67s to share the first-round lead at Tianma Country Club.

In the 800,000 yuan ($129,000) event, Chinese Taipei's Yeh Hsing-ning and Cheng Ssu-chia were equal fourth after 68s in the China LPGA Tour and LPGA of Taiwan co-sanctioned tournament.

Pan Yanhong from Chinese mainland, winner of last week's Beijing Challenge, was two shots off the lead with a 69, tied with compatriot Xu Juan, Chinese Taipei's Lin Tzu-chi and Thailand's Wichanee Meechai and Thanuttra Boonraksasat.

Supamas, one of many impressive rookie pros in the field, started on the back nine and came out firing with six birdies in her first nine holes.

"I set myself up good on the first three holes and the putts were all three to four yards. Today everything was nice and I could make it. I was lucky. The driver was going well and I hit many fairways," said the 19-year-old who led Thailand to a team gold medal at last year's Asian Games in South Korea.

"Tomorrow I will play like today, use the same strategy, play my own game."

Despite carding a bogey-free round that started with back-to-back birdies, 35-year-old Uchiyama was not happy with her play.

"My shots were not good today. I missed many, many shots," said the Tokyo native, a fourth-year pro who is playing full time on the TLPGA this year after losing her card in Japan.

Cheng, a 17-year-old rookie pro who won four times as an amateur before turning pro late last year, made a birdie on the final hole to move into contention for her first win of the year.

"I missed some putts and had a slow start on the front nine. But I told myself that I am closer and closer. I need to settle down. I did it. I played great on the back nine," said the teenager who is part of a strong Chinese Taipei contingent at the event.

"Tomorrow, I just need to pay attention to some long and tough par-four holes. The winning score could be 10 to 15 under. I just had a great round today."

Yeh, who is playing for the sixth week in a row, said her energy level was not a problem today.

"I adjusted well and today everything went well, driver, irons and putting were all great. I just missed some short putts, but those are acceptable," she said.

Chou Yi-tsen, also of Chinese Taipei, was the top amateur with a 71, four shots behind the leaders.

(China Daily 06/13/2015 page11)