Amateur Han leads by one at CLPG Tour Championship

HAIKOU, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sophie Han took the outright lead at the CLPG Tour Championship on Friday as the 18-year-old amateur carded a five-under 67 for a one-shot lead through two rounds on Hainan Island.

Playing at Mission Hills Resort Haikou, Han from Hong Kong, China was eight-under-par 136 through 36 holes of the season-ending tournament of the CLPG Tour. China pros Shi Yuli and Ren Yue were equal second as both players shot 67.

Hu Jing, the first-round co-leader from Hong Kong, fell three shots back after an even-par 72, tied for equal fourth with Hangzhou native Chen Siyan (71). Rookie pro Fang Yuhan, the other overnight co-leader, shot 76 to fall seven shots back.

Han, a freshman on the University of Oregon golf team, started the day with a birdie at the second hole, followed by an eagle three at the 538-yard third hole. After picking up another stroke at the par-five fourth, she bogeyed the next to make the turn at six-under par.

The teenager started the back nine with consecutive birdies, followed by another at the 14th hole, before closing with a late bogey at the par-three 17th.

"I'm quite satisfied with how I played. The rhythm felt right, and the score reflected that. I got into a good mood early in the round and created quite a few birdie opportunities on the front nine," said Han, winner of the 2024 Reignwood CLPGA Classic.

"The eagle on the third hole was completely unexpected. My second shot was solid, but I really didn't expect the putt to drop. It was about 35 feet. It was very lucky, and I felt it was a good sign. Everything today unfolded pretty much the way I had envisioned, nothing beyond expectations, just a very steady round."

With a full-time playing card in South Korea for the 2026 season on offer to the winner of the CLPG Tour money list, Wang Zixuan (71) is the current leader.

Shi, who is playing arguably the best golf of her pro career, booked herself a spot in the final group when she moved five spots up the leaderboard with a round featuring six birdies and a lone bogey. The 23-year-old was in the final group last week in Wanning where she finished a disappointing equal fourth after holding a share of the lead through two rounds.

"I played quite well today. I missed a few birdie putts on the front nine, but on the back nine I converted almost every birdie opportunity I had. My driver and putting were definitely the strongest parts of my game today," said Beijing native Shi who has yet to win since turning pro in 2018.

"If I do earn the card I would likely go and play on the KLPGA Tour, but that's not something I need to think about tomorrow. Of course, I really want to win this championship, but staying steady and patient is the only way to make that happen."

Ren, who has been playing on the Epson Tour in the United States this year, made her trip home worthwhile as the Guangdong native who will turn 25 next week came out firing with five birdies over the first six holes, including four consecutively to start. On the back nine she would make bogey at the 393-yard 14th before picking up a birdie three at the last to stay close.

"I didn't feel great on the practice range today, but once the round started I tried not to think too much and stay focused. My putting was very good from the beginning. Almost all of my first four birdies came from putts of about five or six yards. On the fourth hole, my second shot ended up in the left bunker, but I chipped it to about one yard and made birdie," said Ren who has been playing on sponsor's exemption for the final two events of the year on Hainan Island.

"I originally came through the CLPG Tour and returning here has been a very warm experience. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming. Tomorrow, I'll try not to overthink anything and just play. I know myself. I can't think too much. I just need to focus on playing my own game."

Pang Runzhi, the only other player with a chance to win the CLPG Tour money list, shot a 73 to fall 14 shots off the lead. Zeng Liqi, the Epson Tour regular, withdrew after never challenging in the two Hainan Island events the past two weeks. ■