Chen shines with 66 in Shanghai(3)

　　Yang Taoli has been making headlines all week as the first female pro and only the second woman to compete on the Tour, although her debut has been overshadowed by the tragic events close to home in her native Sichuan province.

　　Her 77 could easily have been better but for a narrow miss on a six-foot birdie putt on hole seven, her 16th, where she also missed the one-foot return for one of her five bogeys.

　　“I enjoyed the round today. It showed that playing with men is definitely different to playing with women. Usually I just focus on hitting the fairway, but on these tees I have to concentrate on getting more distance,” said the 24-year-old.

　　Yang is competing in the knowledge that her family in Du Jiang Yan, northwest of Chengdu, have been living in a tent since their home was damaged in the earthquake, although she was still able to put her appearance in a golfing perspective.

　　“Michelle Wie and Annika Sorenstam have also played in men’s events, but they were probably playing to compete. I’m just trying to get experience and improve, especially ahead of the Evian Masters in France,” she said, referring to the high-profile Ladies European Tour event in late July.

　　Cusick, who didn’t know his score until informed in the scorer’s tent, enjoyed a chip-in eagle on the par-five 15th in his 71, which easily bettered his four rounds in his debut event in Kunming.

　　“I’m ecstatic. I’ve loved being on the Tour so far, as I’ve had four hard years pounding the mat (teaching),” said the Tasmania native, head coach of the Beijing-based SGA - China Coaching Center.

　　“I’m conscious of making the cut, but a good opening round makes the second day a whole lot easier. However, I think I speak for a lot of players when I say that although our minds are on the game, our hearts are with those who have suffered in the earthquake.”