FAN FIRES INTO LEAD IN XIAMEN ON OCT

　　Rookie professional Fan Zhipeng took the lead for the first time in an Omega China Tour event today when he returned a second-round three-under-par 67 in the circuit’s Xiamen Leg.

　　The 29 year old, who played for his country in last year’s Asian Games in Doha, lies on four-under-par 136 for a two stroke advantage over Chen Xiaoma and Shang Lei.

　　Chen carded a 71 while Shang shot a 69 at Orient (Xiamen) Golf & Country Club.

　　First round leader Wu Kangchun, a team-mate of Fan in Doha, returned a 74 to lie a stroke further back.

　　Omega Order of Merit leader Li Chao, a double winner this year, came in with a 71 and is four off the lead.

　　“It is my dream to win on the Omega China Tour. My best finish this season is sixth in the Sofitel Golf Championship which was won by Wu Kangchun. I played with him many times as an amateur so his victory makes me feel I can do the same,” said Fan.

　　Fan is based at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen and first started to play golf when he was 20 in Gansu Province.

　　“To be champion is very important to me. I feel I have the confidence to win. My long iron play was great today,” added the up and coming Chinese golfer.

　　Since his top 10 finish in the season-opening Sofitel Golf Championship he has been unable to make an impression on the leader board, but after two solid rounds this week he is looking well placed to produce the best finish of his fledgling professional career.

　　Zheng Wengen, who won the Kunming Leg three weeks ago, is five behind Fan.

　　The Xiamen Leg is the penultimate event of the year on the eight-event Omega China Tour.