HAIKOU, China, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's gofler Ji Yuai put herself in a strong position to capture her third title of the year on Friday, as the Dalian native fired a three-under 69 to take a four-stroke lead through two rounds of the CLPG Tour Championship in Hainan Island.
With the conditions sunny but windy at The Vintage course at Mission Hills Resort Haikou, Ji was five-under-par 139 through 36 holes.
Lin Qianhui, the overnight leader, blew up to a 74 to sit equal second with Li Shuying (71) and Sui Xiang (73) at four strokes off the pace. Cai Danlin was a shot further back after a two-under 70 on even-par.
Zhou Shiyuan, the 14-year-old amateur who is aiming for her third consecutive win against a pro field, improved to an even-par 72 to sit eight shots back in equal eighth.
Ji, who has won in Tianjin and Beijing, started her round on the back nine where she carded two birdies through her first six holes to get to four-under. After dropping her only shot of the day at the 18th hole (her ninth hole), she picked up two more shots with birdies at the third hole (her 12th) and her last (the ninth hole) where she converted a 12-foot putt.
"With such strong wind, this score is a large slice of good fortune. I hadn't any three-putts for the whole round, which is quite satisfying. With the undulating greens and tricky pin positions you always try to avoid three-putts. I am very happy that I did a good job," said the 19-year-old who predicted a winning score of eight-under.
"I strongly believe that I can capture my third win this year. My game is in a good position now. I would triumph at the final event in Xiamen [the Women's China Open] if I can't make it tomorrow."
Lin, who held a one-stroke lead going into the day, was in no mood to talk after turning in a scorecard that included four birdies and six bogeys, four of which came over the last six holes.
"Who could be satisfied with this? How poor it is on the back nine," said the spirited Beijinger who is winless in four years as a pro.
Sui, a two-time winner on the CLPGA Tour, also had little to say after her round where she posted two birdies and three bogeys after starting from the back nine.
"The second round is more of a struggle than the previous day. I missed plenty of birdie putts. I need more commitment over putts," lamented the Guangdong veteran.
In much better mood was Li Shuying. The 20-year-old Jilin native is coming off a win last month on the Dream Tour, the KLPGA Tour's development circuit. Her round today included four consecutive birdies starting from the second hole and three bogeys on the back nine.
"Obviously, I fired on all cylinders out of the gate and made four straight birdies. But the wind was strong. I felt a little bit heartbroken because I made nothing since the sixth hole," she said. "I didn't figure out the wind on the back nine. I couldn't read the greens well over the last few holes. I saw putting lines well on the front nine." Enditem
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