Shanghai, October 17: China’s Fan Shuangshuang fired a stellar 6-under 66 to seize a two-stroke lead in the first round of the Women’s China Open on Friday in what is her first tournament start in six months.

The 20-year-old Fan smiled her way to nine brilliant birdies through her opening 14 holes at Enhance Anting Golf Club before stumbling with a double bogey on the 15^th hole which allowed in-form Canadian teenager Anna Huang to stay hot on her heels after a 68.

The leaderboard in the CNY 1 million showpiece also featured a strong group of Thai challengers, with Kultida Pramphun returning a 69 for tied third place alongside local hopefuls Lin Xinen, Pang Runzhi and 15-year-old amateur Zhou Shiyuan, who is a three-time CLPG Tour winner. Fellow Thais, Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong, who is currently second on the CLPG Tour Order of Merit, Chonlada Chayanun and Phisitkhwan Pooratanaopa all carded 70s for tied seventh place.

Defending champion Ji Yuai began her campaign with a battling 71 to end the first day five strokes back while 16-year-old Xu Ying, who turned professional this week after earning low individual honours at the recent World Amateur Team Championships Espirito Santo Trophy in Singapore, also carded a 71.

This week’s CLPG Tour flagship tournament is only Fan’s third appearance of 2025 as she took a sabbatical due to health reasons but she has quickly dusted off her clubs, with a hot putter propelling her to a sizzling start in Shanghai.

“This is my first tournament round in a while. I’m very nervous at the start but my irons were pretty good and it encouraged me to play better. My putting is usually not that good but today, it went well and my caddie helped a lot with reading the greens. I got some good luck too,” said Fan.

Keeping her expectations low for her long-awaited return to Tour life, Fan displayed a positive attitude and brushed aside her lone blemish on the 15^th hole. “It was a bad thing, but I’m still like 6-under and based on the score, I was not nervous,” she said.

“I played in the China Open many years back (in 2019) which was a great experience as I got to play with Feng Shanshan and Yin Ruoning (in the third round) and that was fascinating. I know I’m not quite as good like them, but it really encouraged me to practice harder. I’ve tried to play in the U.S. (Epson Tour) in the last two years but it didn’t go well.”

Anna Huang.

Anna Huang, 16, may be far away from her Canadian base in Vancouver but she was right at home at Enhance Anting, shrugging off an opening bogey with five birdies as she ended the first day in solo second.

She won back-to-back Ladies European Tour titles in Spain and France last month, becoming only the fourth teenager to triumph on the circuit, and she now has her eyes fixed on a first professional victory in Asia.

“I think I’m just hitting it really well. My ball-striking was good, especially my irons as I was able to get a few shots close for easy birdies,” said Huang. “I think just mentally, I’ve been more confident with my game. That really helps with the overall game and shooting lower scores. That’s been the key.”

Sherman Santiwiwattanaphong

Seasoned-campaigner Sherman Santiwiwattanaphong of Thailand took her familiar place on the leaderboard after a mixed card that featured six birdies against four bogeys. The 28-year-old, who has enjoyed stints on the LPGA Tour, is presently ranked second on the CLPG Tour Order of Merit, and is seeking to repeat her Merit triumph of two years ago.

The highlight of her day was a chip-in birdie on Hole No. 8. “I’m enjoying myself here. I want to play happy golf. The course is nice, I love it. It was a case of some good and some bad golf. Finishing on 2-under is good,” said Sherman, who holds three professional victories.

“I’m looking for my second win (in China) but I’m not trying to pressure myself. I’m just trying to have fun with my golf and enjoy it. If I play my best, I think the second win will be soon.”

Leading first round scores

66: Fan Shuangshuang (CHN)

68: Anna Huang (CAN)

69: Zhou Shiyuan (CHN – am), Pang Runzhi (CHN), Lin Xinen (CHN), Kultida Pramphun (THA)

70: Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong (THA), Chonlada Chayanun (THA), Wang Zixuan (CHN), Phisitkhwan Pooratanaopa (THA), Liu Yujie (CHN – am), Tiffany Kong (CAN), Li Gengshan (CHN)

Selected Scores

71: Amanda Tan (SIN), Ji Yuai (CHN), Xu Ying (CHN)

72: Ng Jing Xuen (MAS)