WONG Lixia of China recovered from a stuttering start to bound clear of the field after the opening round of the sixth China Open women's amateur championship yesterday.
Striking the ball with authority the 24-year-old defending champion scattered six birdies in a sparkling three-under-par 68 over her home course, the Zhongshan Hot Spring Golf Club layout in Guangdong Province.
That was three strokes better than clubmate Wong Laiyu and Malaysian international Irene Yeoh who share second place in the 54-hole Honma-sponsored tournament.
Hongkong number one Joann Hardwick, experimenting with new clubs, shot a 73 to take sole possession of fourth position, one shot in front of Sarah Palmer, Indian Simi Mehra and China's Lam Shiyu.
However, it was Wong, chasing her third successive China Open crown, who stole the limelight.
''I had a bad start, but after that hit my irons close to the flag and gave myself a lot of chances,'' said Wong, winner of the 1992 Philippines Open and individual runner-up in last year's Queen Sirikit Cup.