Sichuan pair take early lead as China LPGA Tour tees off in Beijing

BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Yang Taoli and Yang Hongmei emerged the early favorites to capture the inaugural China LPGA Tour title on Wednesday as the Sichuan natives each carded a four-under 68 for a two-shot lead during the first round of the 50,000 U.S. dollars Beijing Orient Pearl Championship.

Thailand's Porani Chutichai and China's Shen Yanhua were equal third after a 70 at the Beijing Orient Pearl Golf and Country Club, while four players were in equal fifth with 73. Xia Xin, who got into the field via Monday qualifying, was the top amateur following a 74.

Yang Hongmei, who won twice on the old Orient Masters Tour last year with victories in Beijing and Wenzhou, started her campaign with a flawless bogey-free round that featured four birdies, including a chip-in from a greenside bunker on the 412-yard 16th hole.

"That chip-in from the bunker on 16 was the highlight of my round," said the Haikou-based veteran who was playing in a group with Porani and Shen. "Generally I am pleased with this round, the first round of the new CLPGA Tour, but I'm a little disappointed with my short game. I am not good at 60 to 70 yards into the green. "

Yang Taoli, playing one group in front of Yang Hongmei in the calm morning conditions, opened her round with a birdie and then reeled off four more, including a near ace on the 176-yard 17th hole where she put her tee shot to within a foot of the pin with a six-iron. She then found bunker trouble and bogeyed the 499-yard, par-five 18th.