NANJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Tan Lingling moved to the top of the leaderboard during second round play of the Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Golf Challenge on Thursday as the Chinese veteran carded a one-under 71 for a one-stroke advantage.
Through 36 holes at Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Golf Club, Tan was three-under 141 at the RMB 500,000 China LPGA Tour event. Overnight leader Pan Yanhong was one stroke off the pace after a 74, tied with fellow Chinese Sui Xiang (71).
Zhao Zhimeng and Ji Yuai both shot 71 and were equal fourth with Chinese Taipei's Huang Ching (70) at two strokes back. The Thai trio of Kusuma Meechai (72), Nattagate Nimitpongkul (72) and Ornnicha Konsunthea (73) were a shot further back in equal seventh.
After looking at the scoreboard before her round and seeing many players making bogey and double bogey, Tan said she knew it would be a difficult day that called for caution in the windy conditions. Her round included five birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey five at the par-three sixth hole after starting from the back nine.
"I played well on the back nine. But after the turn there was not too much wind so I played more aggressively and it didn't go well. I saved shots all round but I was annoyed with myself when I made consecutive three-putts at holes six and seven," said the 40-year-old Shandong native who is still looking for her first win as a pro.
"At the sixth, I hit it too far and the ball went into the rough. I saw the grass was a little bit long and I thought to use a 52-degree wedge. My caddie gave me my 58-degree wedge. I was not so calm at the time; I took it and the ball did not end up on the green. Tomorrow, if it's a good sunny day, I don't think I will have much of a chance. But, if not, maybe there will be some opportunities for me."
Pan, also 40 years old, started her day from the back nine with a one-shot lead in the bid for her seventh CLPGA Tour title. Her round included a birdie three at her first hole, the 10th hole, one of three she would make during the day, and five bogeys.
"Today my approach shots were not as steady as they were yesterday. Some were from difficult positions. I made three three-putts. I started with a surprising birdie when I made a putt from about eight yards from the fringe. But by the 11th hole it had gotten so windy that my approach shot couldn't reach the green," said Pan, a Hebei native.
"I felt today I didn't play well because I had too much thoughts. Tomorrow I will try to think less."
Zhao, who went wire-to-wire to win the 2021 Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Challenge for her maiden title, put herself in contention with a round that included three birdies and two bogeys after also starting on the back nine.
"Today I am satisfied with my performance. After making the turn, it was getting a little bit windy, but I still made a lot pars. The greens are hard here. This year the greens are even harder and faster due to good weather," said the Shaanxi native.
"I won't expect too much tomorrow. But Shuangshan has always been special to me. I made my debut as an amateur in pro tournament here and also accomplished my first win as a professional here."
Wu Tianqi was the top amateur as the teenager improved to a 71 to sit five shots back. Fellow amateur Cao Xinyu, who started the day one shot off the lead, blew up to an 83 to fall to equal 37th. ■
