Liu hangs on to halfway lead at China Women's Open

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XIAMEN, China, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A day after shooting a record-setting score of 11-under 61, Liu Yiyi struggled to a second round two-over 74 on Friday at the Women's China Open, enough to hang to a two stroke lead in Fujian province.

Through 36 holes at Orient Xiamen, the 17-year-old Shaanxi native was on nine-under 135 at the RMB2.1 million national championship presented by World Golf Series.

Chinese Taipei's Chen Yu-ju shot a 69 to sit second, while Thai Renuka Suksukont (67) was a stroke further back in third. China's Yin Ruoning (70) was the top amateur in equal fourth with compatriots Lin Xiyu (71) and Liu Yan (67) and Thai Khanphanitnan Muangkhumsakul (70) at four strokes back.

After starting the day with a seven stroke lead, Liu got to 12-under after a birdie at the 155-yard eighth hole only to give the shot back with a bogey five at the next. The teenager then stumbled through the back nine in posting three more bogeys, including back-to-back starting at the 16th hole, and another birdie.

"The mindset had definitely changed. I felt comfortable yesterday and didn't worry about where my shots went. Today I was afraid of my shots, especially at those tough holes. At the end of the day I felt exhausted and tried to make some birdies but it didn't happen. Now I just want to go back and have a good sleep," said Liu who missed nine greens in total.

"For the next two days I shouldn't put pressure on myself. But you know you could have a bad day during a long week. Hopefully, tomorrow, I can have my game like yesterday."

Chen, winner of the CTBC Ladies Classic in March, held it together in the cold but windy conditions to put together a bogey-free round featuring three birdies to move up the leaderboard.

"I played well today and these past two days no bogeys, so very satisfied with the results," said the 21-year-old from Taipei. "I will treat (tomorrow's round) as normal, not too much pressure."

Renuka, currently 15th on the CLPGA Tour Order of Merit, came out firing in her early morning round in carding four birdies over the first five holes. She picked up two more birdies and a bogey on the back nine to keep within sight of the lead.

"My putter was good today. I only have like 22 putts. Today it was just my putt, my driver and my approach shots," said the 23-year-old from Pathum Thani, the winner of the ICTSI Philippines Ladies Masters last year. "(This weekend) I will just concentrate on my game, go on the fairways, go on the greens, go putt."

Yin, a 16-year-old based in Shanghai, continued to impress at the championship with a steady round that produced five birdies and three bogeys. Last week she played in the HSBC National Junior Team Championship and said it was a good warm-up for the national Open.

"It's been a good performance for the last two days. It could be better with more attention to details. My putting was good today. Speed was good, rolls are good and I read lines well," said the teenager who was part of the China team that won the bronze at the Asian Games in Indonesia in August.

"Not only do I want to be the low amateur, I am also aiming at the top 10. Top five should be perfect." Enditem (By Zheng Qing)

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