On a bright and sunny morning at Yalong Bay Golf Club in Sanya City, Hainan Province, China, Finland’s Hanna-Leena Salonen and South African Morgana Robbertze hit the opening tee shots from the first and tenth holes respectively at 7.15am, getting the inaugural Sanya Ladies Open underway.
The becalmed conditions of the opening morning contrasted markedly with the strong winds and heavy rain which were forecast earlier in the week, as typhoon Megi moved towards southern China. The typhoon has weakened as it heads for China, moving further east towards Taiwan. Sunshine and light showers, with highs of 29°C, are now predicted for the weekend.
Stefanie Michl of Austria teed off at 8.15am from the tenth tee and was the early leader on three-under-par after six holes. She has taken full advantage of the benign conditions and posted three birdies at the par-four 12th, par-five 13th and par-three 15th.
She held a one stroke lead over big-hitting Marjet van der Graaff from the Netherlands, Diana D'Alessio from the United States, China’s Zhong Xiao Long and Thailand’s Praewnappa Phol-Uayporn, who all started at the 10th hole.
There are 107 players in the tri-sanctioned tournament with the Ladies Asian Golf Tour and China Golf Association, including 37 players from the People’s Republic of China.
The competition features prize money of €200,000, with €30,000 for the winner and the format of play for the three day competition is 54-hole stroke play with a cut to the leading 60 players and ties after 36 holes.
Martina Gillen is seven over par after signing for a first round 79.
Tara Delaney finished with a 80 to end day one 8 over par.
