Chinese player Zhou Yanhan (L) competes in the first round of the Mitsubishi Electric FA Golf Open in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province on Oct. 19, 2023.
SUZHOU, east China, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Amateurs proved prominent during the opening round of the Mitsubishi Electric FA Golf Open on Thursday as Hong Kong, China's Alexander Yang and Chongqing's Zhou Yanhan each carded a six-under 66 to share the early lead with Chinese veteran Yuan Tian.
With conditions sunny and hot in Jiangsu province for the RMB500,00 China Tour event at Suzhou Taihu International Golf Club, China's Jin Daxing, Huang Zijie, Luo Xuewen, Liu Enhua, Sun Yan and Wu Di were a shot off the pace, tied with Singaporean Gregory Foo.
Two shots back were China's Zhang Changlei, New Zealander Kieran Muir, Czech Gordan Brixi and Chinese Taipei's David Shen.
Zhou, the 15-year-old son of Tour player Zhou Xunshu, turned it on late in his round when he carded five birdies over the last seven holes to grab a share of the lead.
"I didn't hit it solid for the whole round, but my putter was hot. I made four putts from 15 feet. I missed some putts on the front nine, but I kept my patience," said the teenager who won last year's Chongqing Open against a pro field.
"I won last year, but that didn't tell the whole story. Many good players were sick (with COVID-19) at that time. I want a good sleep tonight. I will hit aggressive approach shots tomorrow. I played a little bit conservative today."
Alexander Yang plays in the first round of the Mitsubishi Electric FA Golf Open.
Yang, who earlier this year became the first Hong Kong man to play in the US Open, started his round on the back nine carding three birdies and two bogeys to make the turn at one-under. On the front nine, his back nine, the 21-year-old caught fire in coming home with six birdies and a bogey to move into contention.
"Today was a great start. I think I did most things pretty well," said Yang who is currently on leave from Stanford University, alma mater of Tiger Woods. "I'm still getting used to the grass in China and Asia. It's definitely unique and different from what I'm accustomed to in the US. I made a couple of bogeys and mistakes here and there but otherwise I played really solid."
Yang, who plans to return to school this winter to finish his degree, said his long-term plan included turning professional to realize a childhood dream of playing among the best players in the world.
"I don't know when that path will open up, but my goal is just to keep playing, keep improving. These tournaments are really good experience. You really learn a lot from the pros in the field."
Yuan, a 41-year-old veteran who continues to chase his first China Tour win after 18 years as a pro, carded his best round of the year on the strength of seven birdies and a lone bogey in his early morning start that began on the back nine.
"My shots were solid. I had hit 16 greens in regulation and left myself many birdie chances. Five out of the seven birdies were within three feet. I also made two birdie putts from 18 or 20 feet," said the Hunan native who is now "nearly retired".
"This is my third event so far this year. I am a partner in a law firm now and do other things away from golf. I don't have any expectations, which might be a good thing for a good round."
Notable scores included Li Linqiang, the China Tour Order of Merit leader, at four shots back after a 70. Wuhan amateur Ni Zixin, the only female in the field, struggled to a 79.
Ni gave herself 70 out of 100 for her round, lamenting she wasn't steady off the tee all day.
"I didn't feel stressful off the first tee. I was just excited since it's my first time to play on the China Tour," said the teenager who is 158th in the world amateur golf ranking and has been holding her own against the pros this season on the China LPGA Tour.
"The two male players in my group (Nan Chenyou 77 and Fu Yihao 72) were nice. They were a lot longer than me off the tee. But I am girl. It's fine. I had a nice experience in a good ambience."
Suzhou Taihu International Golf Club is a par-72, 7,230 layout designed by Graham Marsh. ■
