Pan defies the blazing heat for big first-round lead
Source: Agencies |
July 26, 2013, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER weightlifter Pan Yanhong powered her way to the top of the leader board at the Wuhan Challenge yesterday, firing a four-under 68 for a four-stroke lead in the China LPGA Tour event.
Playing in the searing Hubei Province heat where the temperature hovered around 37 degrees Celsius, the big-hitting Japan LPGA Tour regular carded four birdies on the back nine of the Orient Wuhan Golf Club for a commanding lead over four players at even par.
"I should give credit to my short game today. It was super today," the 30-year-old Pan said. "I missed several shots but I could recover with my good short game. It's my third 68 of the year so far, I couldn't be happier."
She credited veteran player Yang Hongmei and her coach for her much improved play around the greens.
China's Guo Caizhu, Yan Panpan and Chen Cuixia, along with Thailand's Pavarisa Yoktuan were tied for second after rounds of 72. Thais Ajira Nualraksa, Kusuma Meechai and Amolkan Phalajivin and Chinese amateur Luo Ying and compatriots Zhang Na and Qiao Changyu were a further shot adrift of Pan.
The Wuhan tournament is the last event for the Chinese players to move up the CLPGA Tour Order of Merit and qualify for October's Reignwood LPGA Classic in Beijing. The US$1.8 million event, the US LPGA Tour's first ever stop in the China capital, will include the top 15 domestic players on the Order of Merit.
Shandong native Yan is one player aiming for Beijing.
She came out blazing at Orient Wuhan with birdies on the first two holes. She then struggled, dropping three strokes over the next eight holes, before battling back for a birdie two at the 16th hole for her even-par round.
Yan said the heat took a toll on the players.
"It's too hot out there," said Yan, who has finished tied for second twice in this event. "I am tired now. I don't want to eat. I drank two bottles of water on each hole."
Pavarisa, a 19-year-old from Nakhon Si Thammarat, continued to impress in her rookie campaign with a round that included four birdies.
Playing in the searing Hubei Province heat where the temperature hovered around 37 degrees Celsius, the big-hitting Japan LPGA Tour regular carded four birdies on the back nine of the Orient Wuhan Golf Club for a commanding lead over four players at even par.
"I should give credit to my short game today. It was super today," the 30-year-old Pan said. "I missed several shots but I could recover with my good short game. It's my third 68 of the year so far, I couldn't be happier."
She credited veteran player Yang Hongmei and her coach for her much improved play around the greens.
China's Guo Caizhu, Yan Panpan and Chen Cuixia, along with Thailand's Pavarisa Yoktuan were tied for second after rounds of 72. Thais Ajira Nualraksa, Kusuma Meechai and Amolkan Phalajivin and Chinese amateur Luo Ying and compatriots Zhang Na and Qiao Changyu were a further shot adrift of Pan.
The Wuhan tournament is the last event for the Chinese players to move up the CLPGA Tour Order of Merit and qualify for October's Reignwood LPGA Classic in Beijing. The US$1.8 million event, the US LPGA Tour's first ever stop in the China capital, will include the top 15 domestic players on the Order of Merit.
Shandong native Yan is one player aiming for Beijing.
She came out blazing at Orient Wuhan with birdies on the first two holes. She then struggled, dropping three strokes over the next eight holes, before battling back for a birdie two at the 16th hole for her even-par round.
Yan said the heat took a toll on the players.
"It's too hot out there," said Yan, who has finished tied for second twice in this event. "I am tired now. I don't want to eat. I drank two bottles of water on each hole."
Pavarisa, a 19-year-old from Nakhon Si Thammarat, continued to impress in her rookie campaign with a round that included four birdies.
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