Taiwanese hopeful Lin Wen-tang yesterday fired a sizzling five-under-par 67 to share the opening-round lead with countryman Hung Chun-kang at the US$500,000 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship.
One shot behind were Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines, who finished second last year, Shaun Norris of South Africa, Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand and India’s Khalin Joshi after the first round of the tournament held at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club in New Taipei City.
Tied for third place were Taiwanese duo Hung Chien-yao and veteran Lu Wen-teh.
Photo: Paul Lakatos, AFP
The 42-year-old Lin, a six-time Asian Tour winner who is on a quest for his first title of the year, credited his health and fitness training for his performance.
“I haven’t played much on the Asian Tour because I used to get tired very easily when I travel too often,” Lin said.
“Now I’ve been going to the gym for half a year and it has helped a lot. I’m 42 this year so I can’t keep playing and traveling,” he said.
Hung, 24, played well on the front nine and sank four straight birdies from the 16th hole in a surprise charge that kept him on the leaderboard.
Other Taiwanese among the field were Hsu Hao-sheng and Sung Mao-chang on 69; and Huang Tao, Lu Wei-chih and Lee Chieh-po on 70. Others who broke par were Lien Chi-wei, Lien Lu-sen, Pan Cheng-tsung, Chan Yih-shin, Hsieh Tung-shu and Kao Shang-hung.
Additional reporting by staff writer
LPGA MALAYSIA
AP, KUALA LUMPUR
Alison Lee yesterday shot a 6-under 65 for a share of the first-round lead in the LPGA Malaysia, while Taiwan’s Yani Tseng was third.
Lee birdied five of the first eight holes at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, and added birdies on Nos. 12 and 14. The 20-year-old UCLA student bogeyed the par-3 17th and — after rain and lightning delayed play for more than three hours — got up-and-down for par on the par-4 18th.
China’s Xi Yu Lin matched Lee at 65.
Tseng was a stroke back along with defending champion Shanshan Feng, Michelle Wie and Chella Choi.
Tseng had six birdies at holes one, two, six, 10, 12 and 18, with a lone bogey on the fifth.
Top-ranked Inbee Park, the 2012 winner, was tied for 10th at 68. She has won two majors this year and is tied with second-ranked Lydia Ko for the tour victory lead with four.
Ko had a 71. The 18-year-old New Zealander is coming off consecutive victories in the Canadian Women’s Open and Evian Championship, where she became the youngest major champion.
Pettersen opened with a 77. The Norwegian star had a double bogey and four bogeys.
The event is first of five straight in Asia. The LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship is next week in South Korea, followed by stops in Taiwan, China and Japan.
The other Taiwanese in the field were Candie Kung in a share of 16th after a 69. Min Lee was in a share of 44th with a 72, while Hsu Wei-ling was one shot back.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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