SUZHOU, east China, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) — Amateurs proved outstanding through the opening spherical of the Mitsubishi Electric FA Golf Open on Thursday as Hong Kong, China’s Alexander Yang and Chongqing’s Zhou Yanhan every carded a six-under 66 to share the early lead with Chinese veteran Yuan Tian.
With circumstances sunny and scorching in Jiangsu province for the RMB500,00 China Tour occasion at Suzhou Taihu International Golf Club, China’s Jin Daxing, Huang Zijie, Luo Xuewen, Liu Enhua, Sun Yan and Wu Di had been a shot off the tempo, tied with Singaporean Gregory Foo.
Two photographs again had been 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 participant Zhou Xunshu, turned it on late in his spherical when he carded 5 birdies during the last seven holes to seize 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,” stated {the teenager} who gained final yr’s Chongqing Open towards a professional discipline.
“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.”
Yang, who earlier this yr turned the primary Hong Kong man to play within the US Open, began his spherical on the again 9 carding three birdies and two bogeys to make the flip at one-under. On the entrance 9, his again 9, the 21-year-old caught fireplace in coming dwelling with six birdies and a bogey to maneuver into competition.
“Today was a great start. I think I did most things pretty well,” stated Yang who’s at present on depart 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 highschool this winter to complete his diploma, stated his long-term plan included turning skilled to understand a childhood dream of enjoying among the many finest gamers on the earth.
“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 professional, carded his finest spherical of the yr on the energy of seven birdies and a lone bogey in his early morning begin that started on the again 9.
“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,” stated the Hunan native who’s 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 chief, at 4 photographs again after a 70. Wuhan novice Ni Zixin, the one feminine within the discipline, struggled to a 79.
Ni gave herself 70 out of 100 for her spherical, lamenting she wasn’t regular 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,” stated {the teenager} who’s 158th on the earth novice golf rating and has been holding her personal towards the professionals 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 structure designed by Graham Marsh.