ZHANGJIAGANG, China, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The top young talent emerging in Asia was on display at the Sun Car Classic golf tournament in China's Jiangsu province on Friday as 13-year-old Yin Xiaowen of China shared the second-round lead with 18-year-old Saranporn Langkulgasettrin of Thailand.
The Tianjin teenager Yin shot 71 over the Shuangshan Golf Club layout to sit at four-under 140 through 36 holes at the 800,000 yuan RMB (126,984 U.S. dollars) China LPGA Tour event. Saranporn, the tour's reigning Order of Merit champion, posted an even-par round of 72.
Chinese amateur Zhang Yue was one shot off the lead following a 72, while Thai Kanyalak Preedasuttijit (75) was two shots back. Chinese amateur Liu Wenbo, the defending champion, shot 74 to sit equal fifth with compatriot Ren Yue (72) and Thai Renuka Suksukont (74).
Starting on the Shuangshan back nine, Yin quickly got to work with a birdie on her opening hole, the 372-yard 10th. The youngster then played par golf for the next nine holes before a double-bogey five at the 164-yard second hole.
After a birdie three at the 360-yard third, more trauma occurred at the next hole when Yin registered a double-bogey six at the 366-yard, par four. She then closed strongly with birdies at holes five, seven and nine to move into contention.
"The pins are more difficult than yesterday. My irons are good, I can get the ball near the pin," said Yin. "After hole 11 I felt tired. There are two cameras at the first few holes in the back nine, I feel nervous, I can't concentrate on my shots. After the two double bogeys the cameras had gone and I ate something to calm down. I felt better then. Today I want to call my coach, try to calm down. I will be conservative tomorrow."
Playing in her third CLPGA Tour event this season, Saranporn salvaged an adventurous round that featured five birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey to grab a share of the lead on a day of windy conditions and tough pin positions.
"I played like a roller coaster today. Overall it's good. At least I got lots of birdies today, I love my driver today," said the Phuket native, a winner of six tournaments around the region last year.
"My legs are a little bit tired. After dinner I will go back to the hotel and take a bath. Tomorrow I want to enjoy."
Overnight leader Saraporn Chamchoi of Thailand ballooned to an 82 to fall eight shots off the lead.
Shuangshan Golf Club is a 6,317-yard, par-72 layout designed by Nelson & Haworth.
Following are the Sun Car Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Classic second round leading scores (players are mainland Chinese unless stated, *denotes amateur)
140 - Yin Xiaowen* 69-71, Saranporn Langkulgasettrin (Thailand) 68-72
141 - Zhang Yue* 69-72
142 - Kanyalak Preedasuttijit (Thailand) 67-72
143 - Ren Yue 71-72, Liu Wenbo* 69-74, Renuka Suksukont (Thailand) 69-74
144 - Chen Liqing 71-73, Jin Man 72-72
145 - Supamas Sangchan (Thailand) 73-72, Ploychompoo Wirairungrueng (Thailand) 71-74, Yang Taoli 73-72, Wang Jiayi* 71-74
146 - Wanchana Poruangrong (Thailand) 73-73, Chonlada Chayanun (Thailand) 70-76,
Li Jiayun 71-75, Lin Tzu-chi (Chinese Taipei) 73-73, Li Xiya 71-75
