BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) -- China's top female amateur Liu Yujie moved one shot clear of the pack at the Orient Masters Beijing Women's Open on Friday as heavy rain forced a lengthy delay during second-round play at the CLPG Tour event.
After a two-hour delay to start the morning session at Beijing Orient Pearl Golf Club, the 16-year-old Liu, 24th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, held it together to card a two-under 70 in wet and windy conditions in the hunt for her second CLPG Tour title.
Through 36 holes at the 800,000 yuan tournament, Liu was five-under 137.
In contrast, Liu Wenbo, playing in sunny condition during her afternoon round, carded a six-under 66 to sit equal second with amateur Wang Zige (68). Ren Yijia, the CLPG Tour points ranking leader, was equal fourth after a 68, tied with overnight leader Sui Xiang (73) at two shots back.
Wang Zixuan, last year's CLPG Tour money leader, was three shots off the pace in equal sixth after a 70, tied with Fan Shuangshuang (68).
Seventeen players were left in the field when play was suspended for darkness. They will complete their second round early on Saturday.
Liu Yujie, who started her early morning round off the 10th tee, said with the wet conditions the course played much longer in terms of overall distance, increasing the difficulty. Her round included three birdies and a bogey six at the 552-yard fourth hole, her 13th hole.
"I feel that today's game was quite consistent and steady. There weren't any particularly spectacular highlights, but there also weren't any major mistakes," said the Beijing teenager who won the National Championship in Chongqing earlier this month.
"Tomorrow, I'll focus on doing my best and hope to create more birdie opportunities for myself."
Veteran Liu Wenbo, whose three CLPG Tour wins include a victory at Orient Pearl in 2020, put together her best round of the season on the strength of seven birdies, including one at the last hole, and a lone bogey at the 386-yard sixth hole.
"It was only raining at the very start of the round. Half a hole into play the rain stopped and the weather was fine for the rest of the day. Overall, it was a fairly smooth round. Every part of my game was solid, and I capitalized on my putting chances, most of them," said the 25-year-old Beijing native.
Wang, another Beijing native, put herself in contention with a round featuring six birdies and two bogeys. Next month, the teenager will go to the United States to attend Northwestern University.
"First of all, the weather today was really good. As for the course, the greens were softer and easier to hold shots on, which is probably an advantage for me and most players," said the 17-year-old Wang. "Today, my driving, approach play, and putting were all very solid, especially my putting."
Ren, a six-time winner on the CLPG Tour, including three wins this season, carded a bogey and five birdies, including one at her last hole, the ninth hole, where she holed a 60-foot putt from the fringe.
"Actually, I'm quite dissatisfied with my round. My putting was really not good today. I missed a lot of putts, including several birdie chances from within six feet," lamented the Dalian teenager who has a chance to equal Lin Xiyu's all-time record for the most wins with a victory tomorrow. "There was poor coordination in my putting technique. The line and speed didn't work well together."
Sui, who has been winless since 2023, said it rained throughout her round as she was unable to build any momentum on a day when she registered two birdies and three bogeys.
"Overall, I think it was okay. Given the conditions and the weather today, there weren't many chances to make birdies. Because of the rain, the distances were shorter, which meant approach shots were longer," said the Guangdong native, a two-time winner on the CLPG Tour. ■
