Beijing, China: While Zhou Shiyuan, Xu Ying and Liu Yujie fly the flag for China at the Queen Sirikit Cup in Japan, fellow amateur standout Ren Yijia is aiming to capitalise on their absence at this week’s 18th Beijing Women’s Challenge.

Ren stunned member of the China LPG Tour at this event last year when, as a 14-year-old, she emerged triumphant.

The Dalian native beat veteran Pan Yanhong at the second hole of a sudden-death play-off to become the youngest winner on the CLPG Tour. It was a record that was short-lived as Zhou eclipsed the mark in November with her win at the Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Challenge.

Now 96th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Ren’s confidence was further boosted by her win in the 2024 China Amateur Open and an appearance in the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation’s victorious Patsy Hankins Trophy team in the Solheim Cup-style match play event against the European Golf Association in the United Arab Emirates in January.

After her practice round at the rehabilitated Beijing Orient Pearl Golf Club yesterday, Ren said she noticed differences in the layout of the Shunyi-area club, which suffered badly from last year’s flood season when the rainfall was 60 per cent greater than an average summer in the capital.

Ren said: “The course conditions are quite good overall, with both fairways and greens in excellent shape. The only noticeable changes are in the trees; some have grown fuller with more branches and leaves, while others have disappeared.

“I believe the overall scores will improve this year. The weather conditions are more favourable, cooler and more pleasant. Plus, after another year, everyone’s game has sharpened.”

Among those expected to challenge Ren in the RMB500,000 tournament that is the fifth leg of the 2025 CLPG Tour season, is fellow amateur Li Menghan, who has recorded top-five finishes in her last three starts dating back to the Kove·China Sports Lottery Chongqing Women’s Open in November.

“I’ve had solid chances in several tournaments, but there’s always that one untimely mistake out of nowhere. After that, I didn’t handle the mental side well either. It’s been frustrating.

“But now returning to Beijing Orient Pearl, where I won on the CLPGQ (development Tour), I feel my mindset has improved somewhat. I’m coming in with real anticipation this time,” said Li, joint runner-up in the Girls’ Division at last month’s Royal Cup in Japan.

Li, who was born in December 2008, at nearly the same time that the China Golf Association announced the China LPGA Tour launch, was surprised to learn she was as old as the Tour.

“What a magical coincidence,” said the Shandong native. “I’m so grateful for this platform that allows us to compete alongside professional players and keep growing. Getting another start this week, I’m really hoping to make a breakthrough.”