Zeng Adopting Positive Approach for Zhuhai Finale

Zhuhai, China: Zeng Liqi tees-off in this week’s season-ending Guowei Centre Plaza Zhuhai Challenge aiming to become the youngest winner of the China LPGA Tour’s Order of Merit.

The 16-year-old Nanchang native currently leads the money list with earnings of RMB183,275 with the rookie pro heading into Zhuhai Orient Golf Club holding the hot hand after winning the past two events.

Following a practice round at the Guangdong Province venue, Zeng said her focus will be on winning this week’s RMB500,000 event.

“I haven’t looked at the money list or calculated the gap. My idea is that you would make it if you won another week. I will try my best and be level-headed starting from the first hole,” said Zeng who turned pro in May after an illustrious amateur career that saw her reach a high of seventh in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Her final act before turning pro was to make the cut at April’s Augusta National Women's Amateur.

“I already have some local knowledge here. I played here last year and won on the CLPGQ (development) Tour. But every time that you play here you always find a refreshing and different wind. Now it’s cold out there, which is different from the last two times I played here. In March or April, Zhuhai is very hot,” she added.

Hot on Zeng’s heels is Fan Shuangshuang. Despite not winning this year, the rookie pro was awarded the RMB180,000 winner’s purse at the Hangzhou International Championship when she finished runner-up to amateur An Tong in July.

Last month, the Chongqing native returned to China after an unsuccessful attempt at qualifying for the US LPGA Tour. With quarantine restrictions in the country, the teenager said she hadn’t touched a golf club since returning home.

“I expect that the Order of Merit is not mine. I haven’t played golf for a long time,” said 17-year-old Fan. “The way I am playing now, I am not able to compete with Zeng or Sun (Jiaze) who are really good this year. Either of them is a worthy winner (of the Order), but I’d like to play my best game and gain as much experience as possible.”

Others with an outside chance for the money title are Sun Jiaze (RMB143,000), currently third on the Order on the strength of wins in Beijing and Zhuhai, and Sui Xiang (RMB114,000). Pan Yanhong is the defending champion this week.

Looking to spoil the party is Liu Yan. The Xiamen native wants to redeem herself after leading this month’s CGA Ladies Championship where she eventually finished runner-up behind Zeng.

Next year, the 23-year-old will be playing on the US LPGA Tour after finishing the 2022 season in ninth place on the money list for the Epson Tour, a development circuit where she won the Four Winds Invitational in August.

“I am starting my off season. Since the quarantine time, my game has not been so solid as it was in mid-season as I did not practice so routinely as I did in the summer. I didn’t think I was far off during the final round in Xiamen, rather my long game was not as steady as I would have liked,” said Liu, winner of the 2019 Hong Kong Ladies Open.

“These young players like Zeng are in a good state. They could play well, again. I wouldn’t want to put pressure on myself. Zhuhai Orient is a very tight course with many water hazards, which doesn’t suit my game. I will try to have fun and have a good time.”