Super Amateur Yin shoots for record third title
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E-mail Xinhua, May 20, 2021
Amateur sensation Yin Xiaowen is in the Chinese capital this week aiming for a record third title against the pros as the Wuhuanxing Ladies Challenge tees off Thursday, the second tournament of the China LPGA Tour season.
The Tianjin teenager made history in October when she won the Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Challenge as a 15-year-old to become the youngest winner on the CLPGA Tour. Last month, she beat the pros again when she finished atop the leaderboard at the Nanshan Ladies Golf Challenge in Shandong.
On the amateur circuit, Yin won the Huzhou leg of the Super Lychee Golf Series in March and was runner-up last week to Ji Yu Ai in the Guangxi leg of the National Amateur Tour.
“I had a cold last week and wasn’t myself since the second round. I haven’t fully recovered but I expect to be well going into this event. But I can’t get ahead of myself now,” said Yin, currently ranked 23rd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, on Wednesday after her practice round at Beijing Orient Pearl Golf Course.
The 16-year-old recalled her 2018 performance at the Sun Car Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Classic when she was tied for the lead through two rounds with eventual winner Saranporn Langkulgasettrin at the tender age of 13. In the final round, she ballooned to an 89 and tied for 56th.
“It was very unsettling. I couldn’t eat and sleep well. I felt I was not myself and couldn’t manage to play my game from the final group. Now I have grown up. I feel less nervous and more steady.”
Liu Wenbo goes into this week as defending champion after capturing her maiden pro title at last year’s event when it was played in October as the Beijing Pearl Challenge. This year, the RMB500,000 tournament is title sponsored by Beijing Wuhuanxing Sports Development Company.
“There was a fierce storm earlier this year and plenty of trees were blown down in the storm. Some of the holes are more exposed than before. Obviously, it is warmer now. The golf course is in a better shape too,” said the Beijing native who captured her first CLPGA Tour title in 2017 when she won the Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Challenge as a 16-year-old amateur.
“My form is decent. I tied for third in Nanshan. After coming home, I usually went to the gym and worked hard, which gave me a more consistent swing.”
The 108-player field this week includes 27 amateurs.
