2012 winner Shih Huei-Ju (石惠如) shot a 3-under 69 to take the first-round lead at the twelfth-annual TLPGA & Royal Open.

Taiwanese Cheng Meng-Chu (陳孟竺) is one shot back of Shih after scoring five birdies in a row on the back nine and carded 70.

There is a talented group of players sitting another shot back at 1-under-par, which includes teen star Cheng Ssu-Chia (程思嘉), who’s already a two-time TLPGA Tour winner, and Phoebe Yao (姚宣榆). Grace Lee from Korea also opened up with a 71, as did Thailand’s Nontaya Srisawang, who just came off in a tie for fifth at last week’s Hitachi Ladies Classic.

Shih has never been absent since the event started twelve years ago, and finally got the taste of success at this Royal Kuan-Hsi Golf Club in 2012.On the sunny Friday in her quest to repeat the feat, Shih got off to a perfect start on par-4 10th, notching a birdie after rolling a 10-foot putt. She took 28 putts for today’s opening round, though three of them were on the 13th green which caused her the only bogey on the card.

“The course is not an easy one, tough greens to play, but I think I was very aware of the conditions coming into this because I’ve played here for the last 11 years,” said Shih. “I played some great shots to the greens. left me some good chances for birdies. Overall, I think I got a solid short game today.”

Cheng completes, for the first time in her career, a streak of five birdies in a pro event through Hole 2 to 6. “It feels incredible,” said Cheng. “It felt like I would hit wherever I wanted.”

Opening on the back nine, Cheng had to play out of the dirt three times, but her iron started to work wonders on the front nine. The 5 consecutive birdies carried her all the way back on top before a bogey on the par-5 8th set her one shot back.

16-year-old Cheng Ssu-Chia posted a 2-under back nine (34) followed by a disappointing 1-over-par front nine (37). “This is a course you really have to putt well if you’re going to have a good round. I definitely have to improve my putting for the next rounds,” said Cheng, who missed two short par putts that ended up with her two bogeys today.

Defending champion Titiya Plucksataporn sits at 76 in a tie for 42nd.

The Royal Kuan-Hsi Golf Club where the TLPGA is playing this week has provided not only a beautiful golf course but also some world class hot-springs for the golfers to relax while in Hsinchu, Taiwan.