Rookie Pro Hangs On To Slim Lead At Golfjoy Women’S Open
China’s Lin Xin En held steady during second-round play of the Golfjoy Women’s Open on Friday as the rookie pro carded an even-par 72 to maintain a one-shot lead in Guangdong province.
Through 36 holes at the RMB500,000 CLPG Tour event being played on the Leadbetter Course at the Mission Hills Golf Club near the Hong Kong border, Lin was three-under 139.
Cai Danlin was alone in second following her second consecutive round of 70. Thai veterans
Wannasiri Sirisampant (71) and Ornnicha Konsunthea (73) were equal third with China’s He Jiaying (71) at three shots off the pace.
Zeng Liqi, the 2022 CLPG Tour Order of Merit winner, shot 73 to sit four shots back in a group of five players that included amateurs Li Menghan (75) and Tang Rongze (74)
Lin, an 18-year-old from nearby Guangzhou, made a bogey five on her second hole (the 11th) after starting her round on the back nine. Following a birdie four at the 552-yard 13th (her fourth hole), the teenager played par golf for the next nine holes before making a bogey at the fifth hole (her 14th). She then rolled in a 45-foot putt at the 510-yard sixth hole (her 15th) for birdie.
“Today, hitting greens in regulation was worse than yesterday. I had to scramble for pars. Par saving was good. I also felt that I missed some good breaks which led to some nice birdies yesterday,” said Lin, a student at Shenzhen University.
“I’m a bit surprised that I’m still leading at five-under par today. I thought good players like Zeng Liqi would catch up. Only two-thirds of the tournament has been completed. You never know what will happen until the final hole tomorrow.”
Cai, who will play in the final group tomorrow with Lin, also held steady, shooting four birdies and two bogeys to move up the leaderboard in the hunt for her maiden pro win.
“This score didn’t meet my expectations because I had plenty of birdie opportunities. If I had capitalized on those chances I could have shot a 66 or 67. I was also dissatisfied with a 70 yesterday. I made some serious mistakes with my approach shots, so I didn’t have so many birdie chances, and that was reflected in my score,” said the 21-year-old from Hainan province.
“Today my approach shots were much better, but I struggled with my putting, especially within 10 feet, which is usually one of my strengths. I’m unhappy about it. I hope that I can put everything together tomorrow. I believe that if it does, this trophy will be mine. During the winter, I strengthened my physical training. I am working out a lot. I’ve also made changes to my swing and it is working.”
Zeng, who is playing on the Epson Tour development circuit this year after losing her LPGA Tour playing card in the U.S., carded an erratic round featuring four birdies and five bogeys in the hunt for her fifth CLPG Tour title.
“I struggled in a windy day,” lamented the 18-year-old from Nanchang. “My iron shots weren’t very accurate and my putting didn’t work.”
Zhang Yunjie had a hole-in-one right out of the gate after starting from the back nine. With a blast of her nine-iron she carded her fifth career ace at the 123-yard, uphill hole. It wasn’t enough as she shot 79 to miss the cut.
The Leadbetter Course at Mission Hills Golf Club Dongguan is a 6,368-yard, par-72 layout.
Players are from mainland China unless indicated * denotes amateur
Golfjoy Women’s Open second round leading scores
139 – Lin Xin En 67-72
140 – Cai Danlin 70-70
142 – Wannasiri Sirisampant (THA) 71-71, Ornnicha Konsunthea (THA) 69-73,
He Jiaying 71-71,
143 – Fang Shuangshuang 73-70, Wang Zixuan 71-72, Zeng Liqi 70-73,
Tang Rongze* 69-74, Li Menghan* 68-75
144 – Parinda Phokan (THA) 72-72, Nanthikarn Raksachat (THA) 71-73, Li Dongmei 71-73
145 – Supamas Sangchan (THA) 74-71, Yan Mengxia 73-72, Zhou Jiayi 73-72,
Xue Zixuan 73-72, Pan Yanhong 74-71, Punpaka Phuntumabamrung (THA) 72-73