YANG SETS EARLY PACE AT ORIENT MASTERS WENZHOU

　　新浪体育讯　Wenzhou: Drawing on the inspiration of her infant son, China’s Yang Hongmei shot a three-under 69 today at the US$50,000 Orient Masters Wenzhou for a three-stroke lead after the opening round in Zhejiang province.

　　Compatriot Yang Taoli (72) and Thailand’s Porani Chutichai (72) were equal second, followed by fellow Thai Pornanong Phatlum (73) who was four off the pace in the final leg of the four-tournament Orient Masters Tour.

　　Yang Hongmei who gave birth to her first child in late 2006, turned in her best performance of the year since returning from maternity leave. After making the turn at even-par 36, she came home with four birdies against a lone bogey.

　　“I was thinking about my son almost every hole,” said the Hainan-based Yang who is looking for her first victory since the 2005 Orient Masters Xiamen Open. “Before, I missed him so much, but I think I have successfully turned this kind of emotion into a motivation and that’s probably why I am playing so well. This is my first score in the 60s since coming back to the tour.”

　　She praised the mountainous Wenzhou course, calling it a layout where patience was needed and it was very daring to be aggressive.

　　“There are a lot of visually-challenging, tree-lined fairways and cliffs that you have to carry. This is the interesting part of this golf course. I like this kind of challenge because I know it doesn’t require you to be long off the tee. You need to think before you tee off.”

　　Yang Taoli was only one shot behind fellow Sichuan native Yang Hongmei with three holes to play. However, disaster struck when she bogeyed the 16th and 18th holes. It was a situation all too familiar for the former national team member as she has finished runner-up in each of the first three legs of the Orient Masters Tour.

　　“I know I have been that close to being champion for the past three tournaments,” said the first-year pro. “All I need is to tell myself I can do it. I am happy to finish with even-par today because I know if I am in contention that gives me a lot of chance to go for the lead in the next two days.”

　　Porani, who will attend the US LPGA Qualifying School next month in America, saw her four birdies offset by four bogeys. She finished her round just before heavy rain battered the mountainous course.

　　“My score was about where I thought it would be today,” said the Chiang Rai native. “On the front nine I took a couple of bogeys which was okay because I was playing from the bunker. But on the back nine, the bogeys were unacceptable because they were three putts, something I always try to keep off my card. I am not happy with that all.”

　　“My chip shots from less than 100 yards were good but my putting was not on today. I was never clear on whether my putts were uphill or downhill.”

　　Anhui province native Liu Juan carded the second hole-in-one of the tournament when she aced the 155-yard eighth hole against the wind with a utility four wood. Thailand’s Pornanong carded her fourth career ace yesterday in the pro-am.

　　The Orient Masters Wenzhou is a China Golf Association-sanctioned event.

　　Wenzhou Orient Yangyi Country Club is a par-72, 6,316 layout designed by T.K. Pen in southern Zhejiang province.

　　Orient Golf will be sending your media organization a daily write-up on the action from Wenzhou on each of the three days of the tournament. Any coverage you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

　　For any media enquiries or photos, please contact:

　　Frank Chen at golfstudioasia@gd165.com

　　Phone: (86) 13066888066

　　Orient Masters Wenzhou first round leading scores

　　69: Yang Hongmei (CHN) 36-33

　　72: Yang Taoli (CHN) 37-35, Porani Chutichai (THA) 36-36

　　73: Pornanong Phatlam (THA) 38-35

　　74: Wang Li (CHN) 36-38

　　75: Ren Xiaozheng (CHN) 39-36, He Hongling (CHN) 38-37, Zhang Lin (CHN) 38-37

　　76: Lu Yuexia (CHN) 38-38, Ye Liying (CHN) 40-36, Hu Ling (CHN) 41-35

　　77: Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro (THA) 39-38, Tiranan Yoopan (THA) 40-37, Rungthiwa Pangjan (THA) 38-39, Li Wei (CHN) 38-39, Wang Chun (CHN) 38-39, Shen Yanhua (CHN) 38-39, Wang Yinghua (CHN) 41-36