HONG KONG, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian amateur Winnie Ng fired a five-under 67 to grab a share of the first-round lead at the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open on Friday, deadlocked with professionals Connie Chen of South Africa, Chinese Taipei's Chen Szu-han/Hsieh Yu-ling.
China's Li Jiayun and South Korea's Jang So-young were one shot off the pace after shooting a 68 over the Hong Kong Golf Club Old Course in the 150,000-U.S. dollar tournament co-sanctioned by the China LPGA Tour and the Ladies Asian Golf Tour.
Defending champion Supamas Sangchan of Thailand was two shots back after a 69, tied for equal seventh with compatriot Jackie Chulya, Chinese Taipei's Lee Hsin and Chinese Hong Kong's Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching, the 2016 tournament winner who is now playing full-time on the US LPGA Tour.
The 17-year-old Ng came into here riding a hot hand. In 2017, she won 11 titles and has continued that form this year with three wins to date. Her round on Friday included an impressive nine birdies and four bogeys.
"I am really, really grateful for this opportunity. These past few days I have felt very nervous. I couldn't fall asleep because I wanted to do well in my sponsor's event. After calling my coach I calmed down," said the teenager, who's playing in her third pro event.
"This is my best play ever, five-under and nine birdies in one round. I will keep it going tomorrow."
Connie Chen, who has been winless since 2014 when she captured the Tenerife Open on the Ladies European Tour, started her round with a bogey five at Fanling. She then posted an eagle three at the par-five, 495-yard sixth followed by five birdies and a bogey.
"On the sixth hole I used a three wood for the second shot and the ball stopped two feet from the hole. It was an easy eagle," said the 25-year-old Pretoria native, a fluent Mandarin and Cantonese speaker who is playing full-time on the CLPGA Tour this year.
"There are lots of Hong Kong friends coming here to support me. I want to win this year."
Li, the top Chinese mainland player, posted an erratic round featuring five birdies, three bogeys and an eagle three at the 477-yard, par-five 11th hole to put herself in contention.
"It's unexpected that I got such a good performance. My driver got better and better as the game went on. My shots to the green were aggressive and I made the most of the birdie opportunities," said Guangzhou native Li.
"Although the course is short there are traps, you need to be careful all the time. My goal this week is to get under par every day. I have made the first step. If I have chance I will chase for the championship."
The Hong Kong Golf Club Old Course is a 6,246-yard, par-72 layout.
