Pan Proves Her Mettle to Claim Top Spot

Wanning, Hainan Island, China: Pan Jiehong roared to the top of the leaderboard after the second round at the China LPGA Qualifying Tournament.

The Hainan native carded a seven-under 65 for a two-stroke lead over fellow amateur Zeng Liqi, who shot even-par 72. The 86-strong field includes 66 amateurs.

Through 36 holes at The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula East Course, 17-year-old Pan is on six-under 138 at the three-round tournament at which 20 full-time playing cards are on offer for the 2022 CLPGA Tour season.

Yang Manlixiang (70) is four strokes off the pace in third spot, two shots ahead of fellow amateur Xue Zixuan (71). He Chengjun (74) is the top professional, 12 shots behind the leader.

Pan, who started the day five shots behind overnight leader Zeng, got her first birdie on the 348-yard third hole. The Haikou teenager dropped her only shot of the round at the 375-yard fourth before rebounding for a birdie at the 533-yard fifth hole.

Making the turn at three-under 35, she picked up four more shots on the back nine, including consecutive birdies on the final two holes.

“The wind was as strong as yesterday, but today I played better. The strategy and execution is also very good. I don’t pay attention to my results in real-time, just keep my eye on the ball all the time. It was not until I finished that I knew I was in the lead alone,” said Pan, runner-up to Zeng at this month’s China Amateur Golf Tour Final.

“Before tee-off, my goal was to get as close to Zeng as possible. The pin locations were very difficult,” said Pan, 193rd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

Zeng, who has risen to a career-best 32nd in the WAGR, stumbled to a bogey-five on the opening hole and went on to card three more bogeys against four birdies.

The 15-year-old Nanchang native attributed her score to a ‘lack of luck’ and being slow getting into her game. “The score is not satisfactory. Before the last three holes, I saw the leaderboard. I knew that Pan had caught up. My mentality was affected. There was a bit of traffic on the course and my state was lost in the long wait,” said Zeng who plans to turn professional in May following her 16th birthday.

“I have no special goal for tomorrow. I hope I can play well, get enough birdies and reduce mistakes. I’m a very explosive player.”