分享缩略图
 

Rookie pro Zhang closer to maiden victory

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, December 2, 2023
Adjust font size:

HAIKOU, China, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Rookie pro Michelle Zhang Yunxuan moved a step closer to her goal of getting her maiden win on home soil on Saturday as the Chinese carded a four-under 68 for a two-shot lead after two rounds in Hainan Island.

Following a wet and windy opening round at Sandbelt Trails, the Mission Hills Resort Haikou No. 2 course, the 19-year-old Zhang was seven-under 137 at the RMB800,000 China LPGA Tour event.

Thailand's Onkanok Soisuwan was equal second after a 69, tied with Chinese Taipei player Chen Yu-ju (70). Huang Ching (71), also of Chinese Taipei, was fourth, a shot further back.

Zhang, who celebrated her 19th birthday on Tuesday, got her morning round off to a good start when she sank a 10-foot putt for birdie on the opening hole to get to four-under. She then shot par over golf for the next 13 holes. The Dallas-based teenager finished with birdies on three of her final four holes, including a 10-footer at the 433-yard, par-five last.

"I hit less solid than yesterday, but it's okay. I created plenty of birdie chances on the front nine where I made nothing. I made a real birdie putt on the 15th hole, which boosted my confidence. I made more putts since then," said Zhang, who turned pro in June and had a solid rookie campaign on the Epson Tour, a feeder circuit to the US LPGA Tour.

"It's my first time here. The CLPGA is a blank slate to me. I didn't think about if the weather was tough or not. It doesn't matter. It's equal for everyone in this field. I could play from the final group tomorrow. I will try not to watch the leaderboard, which could be beneficial. I always watch the leaderboard during my play. The last time I was in the mix and watched the leaderboard, the finish was not ideal. It would be nice to win here. It would be a 100 percent winning rate for me."

Onkanok started the day on two-under and quickly moved to the top of the leaderboard on the strength of four birdies over her first eight holes to get to six-under. She then stumbled with consecutive bogeys starting at the 10th hole, followed by another dropped shot at the 362-yard 13th hole.

The Bangkok native regrouped to card birdies on the 15th hole and was the last to get in the mix for her third pro title.

"The first nine holes I had four birdies, because my putting was quite nice today. On the back nine the condition was okay but my driver was not really well on holes 10 and 12, so I got a bogey. But I tried to control myself to get birdie again and I got two birdies before I finished."

Onkanok, who has won in the Philippines and her native Thailand, said her game had improved recently after a period of struggle.

"It seems like so many years (since I have won). I try a lot. I have so many problems with my swing, my mind and everything. But right now, I improve my swing a lot and let's say I just try my best to improve and get a win tomorrow."

The CGA Ladies Championship is being played at the Mission Hills Resort Haikou No. 2 Course. Sandbelt Trails is a 6,317-yard, par-72 layout created by Schmidt-Curley Design. Enditem

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter