Despite a heart-draining triple-bogey on Hole 6, Chen Meng Chu (陳孟竺) of Taiwan sailed safely though the rest of the day to finish at 1-under 70 in the first round of the TLPGA & Tsai Hsing Heritage Tour. She will hold a one-shot lead into tomorrow’s final round with Yeh Hsin-Ning (葉欣寧) looming at even-par 71.

There is a large group of five who went tied for third at 72 that includes recent TLPGA Heritage Tour winner Hsieh Yu-Ling (謝瑀玲), Chien Pei-Yun (錢珮芸), Yu Pei-Lin (余珮琳), Lynn Chiu (邱齡緹), and Huang Yu-Chen (黃玉珍). Defending champ Cheng Yi-Yu (鄭宜宥) sits in another five-way tie for fourth with three shot off the lead at 73.

Chen, who had her career breakthrough this year by taking her first professional win at the Chung Cheng Heritage Tour (Spring) in April, opened the day in tremendous fashion, holing for birdies on the first, second, and fourth holes. Chen was pleased with the new putter in the bag that helped her rolled in that 23-foot putt right on the first hole at the T.H.E. CLUB.

“I made a little tweak in my grip, which was softer and easier, and I switched over from a 33 to a 35-inch putter to see if it fits my game better. And I feel very good about the change,” said Chen, who made another two of her total five birdies for today on eighth and tenth.

It could have gone a lot lower if it had not been for that triple on the par-4 sixth. Chen’s tee shot landed in the middle of the fairway perfectly – she hits a total 15 fairways – but a second shot that flew over the right hill cost her another three shots only to get back onto the green where she took two putts to escape the scare.

“It was a great driving day and some good second shots out there today, putters were nice as well. If only I hadn’t made that mistake and it would’ve been perfect!” said Chen.

Taiwanese darling Yeh Hsin-Ning keeps up her consistent year and put up another steady round on par. “Obviously, I’m getting more comfortable throughout the years on the Tour and I feel I’m able to be more relaxed and really do just enjoy the game,” said Yeh. “I hope I can step it up tomorrow for the victory but no pressure to myself.”

The 2014 TLPGA & Tsai Hsing Heritage Tour is a 36-hole pro-junior event, and the third out of four on the 2014 calendar. The professionals are placed in the same playing group with amateurs and junior golfers and encouraged to pass on their precious points of golfing advice and etiquette. Winner will receive NT$71,000 with a total purse of NT$600,000.