China LPGA member and Guangdong Native Chen Liqing (陳利慶) fought through gusty conditions while Typhoon Fung-Wong closing in Eastern Taiwan and shot an even par 72 to enter Saturday’s final round of the 2014 CTBC Ladies Open with a lead for her first professional victory.

A group of three Taiwan LPGA members, Chien Pei-Yun (錢珮芸), Huang Yu-Chen (黃玉珍), and Tsai Pei-Ying (蔡佩穎) sit all just one shot back of the lead at 144 after 36 holes. First-round leader Hsu Wei-Ling (徐薇淩) hits a 4-over 76 under strong winds and moves down to solo fifth at 145. Thai Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro and 13-year-old amateur Ye Lei keep themselves also in contention for tomorrow at 146.

Forecasts show a Typhoon system is nearing east Taiwanese sea and the increasing wind shear has brought some steady strong winds into the Orient Golf & Country Club on Friday. Only two players post an under-par finish in the second round.

The strong wind didn’t seem to bother Chien, nonetheless. Opening the day with an eagle, Chien’s low round of the day 70 includes a barely satisfactory 30 putts. “It could have gone lower of course,” said Chien, whose driving today remained accurate despite the gusts.

Chien and Tsai Pei-Ying, who are both within striking distance for a first official professional win tomorrow, have a special relation other than coming from the same town of a Southern Taiwanese county – Pingtong. It was actually Tsai’s coach dad discovered Chien and brought her to a golf course. Chien will be paired with Chang Hsuan-Ping (張瑄屏) in second to the last group on the final Saturday, while Tsai will tee off ten minutes later in the leaders group.

At 26, Chen Liqing of China is also seeking her first Tour victory. She used four birdies and bogeys each to stand atop the leaderboard. “The wind was blowing so strong so I tried to really tap into the wind directions, but still some shots were blown away badly. I think I was doing a good job hanging in there and kind of surprised I get to the lead,” said Chen. It marks Chen’s first ever leading status in a professional tournament.

Only turning pro in 2012, the late bloomer’s connection to golf can be traced back to 12 years ago when she worked as a caddie in a golf club in Chaozhou, Guangdong, China, and didn’t take up regular golfing training until she was 22.

“I really loved the sport when I took the job, but I couldn’t play because I couldn’t really afford golf,” said Chen. “I read the golf magazines in the club that taught me how to use the techniques, and I tried to practice with a rented set of clubs. It was literally how I got into golf.” Having played a mere 10 amateur events between 2010 and 2011, and a career goal was set for Chen as she turned pro golfer in 2012. “I really would need this win. It will be like a dream come true for me having gone through so much.”

First-round leader Hsu Wei-Ling, who’s at No.5 on the Symetra Tour money list, said she was over-thinking that cost some misjudgment. “The wind did not help,” said Hsu. “But it could be the same conditions for everyone. And if there would be some rain tomorrow adding to the factors, it would be even more unpredictable.”

In an inaugural conjunction with the China LPGA, the 2014 CTBC Ladies Open boasts a purse bigger than its two previous editions, increased from NT$3 million to NT$5 million and the winner will win an NT$1 million prize check. On Hole 16, a hole-in-one prize of a brand new Audi A6 2.0 TFSI will be on offer as well. Saturday’s actions will be aired on TV from 1-4 p.m. on Videoland Sports Channel.