Taiwan’s Liang Yi-Ling (梁宜羚), Huang Hsien-Wen (黃賢雯), and Thailand’s Thanuttra Boonraksasat will tee up in Saturday’s final round of the 2015 KENDA Tires TLPGA Open together in the final group, leading by one shot at 145 after 36 holes.
Liang used a low-round 2-under 70 to climb up 28 spots and put herself in contention for a maiden title on the TLPGA Tour. Her best finish in the past was an equal sixth last year at the Meridigen Technology Cup and this is the first time Liang holds the clubhouse lead in a professional tournament.
Overnight co-leader Yu Pei-Lin (余珮琳) (76) and local amateur Wu Yi-Ching (伍以晴) (70) were one shot off the pace at the Taipei Golf Club. The crowded leaderboard saw 20 players within just four shots margin, adding to the suspense of tomorrow’s final round.
Liang, who made a double-bogey on the par-3 8th but bounced back reeling off three consecutive birdies on 14th to 16th, said a new wrist injury might have improved her game in a way. “I got this new injury on my right wrist a couple of weeks ago,” said the 23-year-old. “Now I could not really swing at my fullest and hit as long as before, but I feel like I got a lot more consistency and control holding a little back like this.”
“It actually gave me a slower, steadier pace to go with,” said the National Taiwan Sport University graduate. “I like this new rhythm and I will try to bring this to tomorrow.” Liang hit 11 fairways and reached a total of 15 greens in regulation, taking up 30 putts in the round of 70.
Also carding the low-round score, being one of the only three players to card at under par in the second round, was Wu Yi-Ching. The 19-year-old amateur from Taiwan registered a round with five birdies, including a late stretch of four in a row from hole 13, and three bogeys. It marks the most birdies (5) Wu has made in a round.
Beginning her late-morning round in hot and windy conditions, Huang Hsien-Wen saved an important nine-foot par putt on the last to claim a share of the lead. “To have a good performance here at the Taipei Golf Course, you have to play it to the wind carefully. Precision was a key part,” Huang said. “I was not playing good at the start but from the back nine, I started to convert on the conditions better. I will hope to keep this feeling tomorrow and avoid misses.” Huang’s last time heading into the final day with a lead dates back to 2012, when she tied at the top with Shih Huei-Ju (石惠如) at the Yeang Der Invitational.
Kenda ambassador and reigning TLPGA Tour number one Kuo Ai-Chen (郭艾榛) (76) sits five shots back of lead in equal 17th. Kuo is seeking her second title of the season after the Taifong Ladies Open.
A cut line was set at 158 after 36 holes, sending 55 pros and 13 amateurs into the final round to pursue the winner prize of NT$800,000. An additional prize of NT$200,000 from local businesses will be given if a home representative takes the title. The Rolex World Rankings points will also be available in the NT$4 million event.
Hole-in-one prize of a carbon road bike (Masi PC1) will be up for grabs on the 11th and 18th provided by Kenstone Metal. |