Amateur Yin takes control in Wuhuanxing Ladies Challenge

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BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Yin Xiaowen put herself in contention to become the first amateur to win three times on the China LPGA Tour on Friday, when the 16-year-old shot her second straight round of three-under 69 to take a one-shot lead at the Wuhuanxing Ladies Challenge.

With the conditions sunny and breezy in Beijing, Yin, winner of last month's season-opener in Nanshan, was on six-under 138 through 36 holes. The 500,000-RMB (about 80,000 U.S. dollars) tournament is being played at Beijing Orient Pearl Country Club.

Du Mohan (69) was alone in second as the Beijing native stumbled to three bogeys over the last four holes to drop out of the lead. Overnight co-leader Liu Wenbo was third, three shots back, after struggling to a 75.

Amateur Zhang Yue, the other overnight co-leader, ballooned to a 76 and was four shots off the pace in a group that included pros Wang Xinying (69) and Yang Jiaxin (73).

"Today was a solid day without any huge mistakes, which was better than yesterday," said Tianjin native Yin, whose round included four birdies and a bogey four at the 190-yard third hole.

"I just made one bogey, but that hole was really tough with the tucked pin. I missed the green, then missed a 12-footer for a par."

After tasting victory twice against the pros, including last year's breakthrough win when she captured the Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Challenge as a 15-year-old to become the youngest winner on the CLPGA Tour, Yin said she wasn't thinking about how to win the tournament.

"No matter what Du does tomorrow, I will play according to my plan. Any finish is acceptable for me."

Despite carding six birdies, Du said she didn't play well all day, but scrambled fantastically through the first 14 holes. Over the last few holes, a terrible long game led to her poor finish.

"The front 14 holes I was more scared than hurt. My long game wasn't consistent from beginning to end, but I made a bunch of surprising birdies from terrible spots. The golf gods must be on my side," said Du, who is looking to end a two-year winless streak.

"Over the final few holes, I didn't deal with it well. But you know this score was satisfying," she said. "Now I am going to the driving range. I will try to work on my long game."

Defending champion Liu started her morning round from the back nine and struggled from the start in posting five bogeys and two birdies.

"I felt unwell from the first hole. I was weak and not in a good shape. I hit it fat. I hit it errant. It was an uncharacteristic round without any highlights," said the 20-year-old Beijing native, a two-time winner on the CLPGA Tour. "But I am not far behind and will try to have a much lower score tomorrow." Enditem

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