Liao's sizzling 66 lights up Sofitel(2)

　　Liao admitted: “I never thought I’d be the leader when I started the round and just focused on my own game. I’m really satisfied with my score. All my clubs were good today, such as my driver, my irons and especially my putter. My putting stroke felt really fluid today and it helps that the greens are in great condition.”

　　Ye Xionghui, the younger brother of Ye Liying, the first mainland Chinese to play in the US Women’s Open, also impressed with a composed 67.

　　The six-foot one-inch Shanghai-based pro teed off on 10, where he saved par after flying the green. Ye went on to make 16 greens in regulation, bagging four birdies in his first nine and also on holes one and nine. His solitary bogey came on the tough 227-yard par-three eighth, ranked the most difficult hole in last year’s inaugural event.

　　“My irons were really good today and I was really happy to hit 16 greens,” said the 26-year-old, who finished 11th on last year’s Omega Order of Merit in his first full season on the circuit. “I really like this course. I only worry about holes two, three and eight.”

　　Ye made headlines in last month’s Kunming Championship, where he shot an opening 69 to lead after the first day before falling back to joint-29th. “Recently, I’ve been in good condition, both physically and mentally,” he said. “In Kunming, I scored well in the first round, but wasn’t in the best condition. I feel better now and I really like this course.”