Teenager Shi Yuting in Reignwood LPGA Classic contention
Third round five-under-par 68 sees 16-year-old Chinese climb leaderboard on pro debut
They may have come to cheer Feng Shanshan, but by the end of the third round of the US$2.1 million Reignwood LPGA Classic it was the name of teen phenomenon Shi Yuting on the lips of the Pine Valley Golf Club galleries.
Playing in her first tournament as a professional, the 16-year-old fired an accomplished five-under-par 68 to soar 12 places up the leaderboard in the richest of the LPGA Tour's seven events in Asia.
With a 54-hole aggregate of eight-under 211, Shi heads into today's final round in a share of 11th place, five shots off the pace being jointly set by Swede Caroline Hedwall and American world number one Stacy Lewis.
I'm more than happy to play with the best players as it's an opportunity to observe at close quarters and to learn from them
Far from being overawed by the position she finds herself in and the attention that is being lavished on her by spectators and media, Shi seems invigorated by it. "I'm enjoying the new feeling of being asked for autographs and interviews," she said, emitting a girlish giggle that prompted a barrage of camera clicks during a post-round press conference.
Displaying a maturity belying her tender years, Shi cut a calm and composed figure as she skilfully navigated her way around the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout, snaring six birdies against a solitary bogey.
It had long been Shi's intention to relinquish her amateur status after last week's Incheon Asian Games in South Korea, in which she finished fourth individually and led her country to a bronze medal in the women's team event.
She did not, though, expect to make such an instant impact on her debut outing with the pros.
As well as being the highest-placed player from China, there's also an outside chance for Shi to follow in the footsteps of her mentor Feng, who triumphed here in last year's inaugural Reignwood LPGA Classic but now trails her young compatriot by no fewer than nine strokes.
A product of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in America, Shi does not feel nervous or burdened by the weight of anticipation.
She said: "I'm sure there will be high expectations for me tomorrow.
"But I'm confident I can turn the pressure into boosting power to produce a better performance.
"I'm more than happy to play with the best players as it's an opportunity to observe at close quarters and to learn from them.
"I hope also it will help to elevate my play."
Meanwhile, Hedwall will also be aiming to raise her game as she bids to show that Europe's leading female players are every bit as adept at defeating American opponents as their male counterparts.
"I watched the Ryder Cup last week and will certainly be motivated by Europe's win," said Hedwall, who knows victory today will boost her prospects of securing a spot on Europe's team for next year's Solheim Cup against an American line-up that will be spearheaded by Lewis.
