China’s teen prodigy Du Mohan leads after opening round of Hong Kong Ladies Open; Tiffany Chan three off the pace

The 17-year-old Beijing native shoots five-under-par 67 for a one-shot lead over Zhang Weiwei and Babe Liu at Fanling’s Old Course

Hong Kong’s Chan is still suffering from jet lag after qualifying for the US Women’s Open in Hawaii last week

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China’s Du Mohan plays a shot during the first round of the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open. Photo: Eurasia Sport Images

Published: 8:47pm, 10 May 2019Updated: 10:18pm, 10 May 2019

China’s 17-year-old prodigy Du Mohan shot a five-under-par 67 to take a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the US$150,000 EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open at Fanling on Friday.

Beijing native Du closed with consecutive birdies on the Old Course to lead compatriot Zhang Weiwei and Taiwan’s Babe Liu, both of whom shot a four-under 68. Hong Kong’s LPGA Tour player Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching is three shots off the pace at two-under 70.

Nine players are tied for fourth place at three-under-par with Du surpassing her goal of at least shooting par.

“I’m very excited – I feel I did very well. I played spectacularly from tee to green. My putting went well and I grabbed some chances.

Tiffany Chan in action at the Hong Kong Ladies Open. Photo: SCMP / Jonathan Wong

“It’s a great course. It’s very beautiful and has a long history. The greens are very fast and firm which is challenging. I’m a bit surprised – I got even-even [par] for the US Women’s Open sectional qualifier [on Sunday] and today my target was to play for par but I managed to control my emotions and stayed calm and went out and enjoyed it.”