Rookie pro hangs on to slim lead at Golfjoy Women's Open

GUANGZHOU, China, March 14 (Xinhua) -- China's Lin Xinen held steady during second-round play at the Golfjoy Women's Open in Dongguan, south China's Guangdong Province, as the rookie pro carded an even-par 72 to maintain a one-shot lead on Friday.

Through 36 holes at the CLPG Tour event on the Leadbetter Course at the Mission Hills Golf Club, Lin was three-under 139. Cai Danlin was alone in second following her second consecutive round of 70. Thailand veterans Wannasiri Sirisampant (71) and Ornnicha Konsunthea (73) were equal third with China's He Jiaying (71) at three shots off the pace.

Zeng Liqi shot 73 to sit four shots back in a group of five players that included amateurs Li Menghan (75) and Tang Rongze (74)

Lin, 18, from nearby Guangzhou, made a bogey five on her second hole (the 11th) after starting her round on the back nine. Following a birdie four at the 552-yard 13th - her fourth hole - the teenager played par golf for the next nine holes before making a bogey at the fifth hole, her 14th. She then rolled in a 45-foot putt at the 510-yard sixth hole, her 15th, for birdie.

"Today, hitting greens in regulation was worse than yesterday. I had to scramble for pars. Par saving was good. I also felt that I missed some good breaks which led to some nice birdies yesterday," said Shenzhen University student Lin.

"I'm a bit surprised that I'm still leading at five-under par today. I thought good players like Zeng Liqi would catch up. Only two-thirds of the tournament has been completed. You never know what will happen until the final hole tomorrow."

Cai, who will play in the final group tomorrow with Lin, also held steady, shooting four birdies and two bogeys to move up the leaderboard in the hunt for her maiden pro win.

Zeng, who is playing on the Epson Tour development circuit this year after losing her LPGA Tour playing card in the U.S., carded an erratic round featuring four birdies and five bogeys in the hunt for her fifth CLPG Tour title. ■