Zhuhai: Renuka Suksukont roared to the top of the leaderboard under wet conditions at the Hengqin Phoenix Tree Building Orient Golf Challenge yesterday as the Thai carded a six-under-par 66 for a two-stroke lead through two rounds.
The 23-year-old from Pathum Thani was on six-under 138 at the opening tournament of the China LPGA Tour season.
Fellow Thai Chakansim Khamborn, who played in dry conditions when the rain stopped at 1pm, was alone in second place after shooting 68 on the Zhuhai Orient Golf Club layout.
Thais dominated the leaderboard as first round co-leader Kanyalak Preedasuttijit (72) was equal third with compatriots Samaporn Khangkhun (69) and Chonlada Chayanun (69), and China's Zhang Weiwei (68) at three shots back.
With the rain coming down throughout her early morning round, Renuka put herself in contention for her second CLPGA Tour win when she rebounded from a bogey five at the 385-yard second hole to post seven birdies over the rest of the way.
"Actually I did not hit irons very good today but it was always like okay. My putting was very good -- I had 25 putts," said Renuka who posted a wire-to-wire victory at the 2017 ICTSI Philippine Ladies Masters but has been winless since.
"Tomorrow, I don't know. I will just try to think shot by shot, just hit on the fairway and hit on the green. This course is hard if you cannot put your ball in the fairway. If your driver is not good it's hard. My target is three wins this year."
Zhang, who won the tournament in 2017 for her maiden CLPGA Tour success, put herself in contention with a strong round that featured six birdies and two bogeys.
The Hainan native is playing in China full-time this year after spending the last two seasons on the Japan LPGA Tour.
Also within striking distance is Pan Yanhong. The CLPGA great, a five-time winner on the circuit, shot 69 to get to one-under.
The 35-year-old former power-lifter is on the comeback trail after retiring from golf last year to have a baby boy, Xiao Mi, six months ago.
Her round today included six birdies and three bogeys after starting from the back nine.
"It's a tough course. I just had a baby and my driving distance has becoming shorter now. This is the first stop on the comeback. I don't want to think too much and expect too much. I was hoping to make the cut and I did, which is good," Pan said.
