Wanning, Hainan Island, China: Talented teenager Zeng Liqi continued her rich vein of form with a fast start at the China LPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament.

Fresh from her victory in last week’s China Amateur Golf Tour Finals, the 15-year-old snared two eagles en route to a four-under 68 to open up a four-stroke lead after the first round of the Qualifying Tournament.

With conditions warm but windy on The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula East Course, fellow amateurs Yang Manlixiang and Fan Shuangshuang were equal second on even-par 72.

Chen Guanmei was the low professional on 73, tied with amateurs Ji Yuai, Xue Zixuan and Pan Jiehong at the 54-hole tournament.

After making the turn at one-over 36, Zeng got her game going at the 400-yard 10th hole when she rolled in a 20-foot putt for birdie. At the 495-yard 12th, with the wind at her back at the seaside course, she put her second shot to within six feet of the pin and converted the putt for an eagle-three.

At the last, a 513-yard par-five, Zeng, who is at a career-high 36th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, chipped out of the rough from about 40 feet for her second eagle.

“The [first] eagle ignited me and made me believe that I could play better,” said Zeng, a three-time runner-up at China LPGA Tour events last year.

“It was very difficult today. With the windy conditions I had no way to accurately calculate the distance. On the front nine, my greens in regulation were only 30 per cent. Fortunately, my wedge was very good. The wind created many uncertainties and many possibilities. It’s a very challenging course.”

Yang put herself in contention to get one of the 20 full-time playing cards on offer for the 2022 CLPGA Tour season when she made a birdie at the last to salvage a round that also featured another birdie at the fourth hole and two bogeys. She needed just 27 putts.

“It was difficult today because the distance of my drives was not long enough, especially against the wind. Fortunately, my short clubs performed very well and saved some pars,” said the Shenzhen teenager who plans to turn professional this year.

Fan, a two-time winner on the China amateur circuit last year, started strongly with two birdies over the first three holes. She then battled the rest of the way in carding four bogeys and two more birdies.

“I seldom play seaside courses, which is a new challenge for me. I can see my skills progress in this game and have a higher success rate,” said the 17-year-old Chongqing native.