Xiamen, Fujian Province, China: Sophie Han, Zhou Shiyuan and Ren Yijia continued their impressive 2024 form with promising performances at the Orient Women’s China Open.
The trio who will represent the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation at next month’s Solheim Cup-style Patsy Hankins Trophy against the European Golf Association in the United Arab Emirates all made the cut in the season-ending China LPGA Tour event.
In sunny but windy conditions at Orient (Xiamen) Golf and Country Club, Hong Kong China’s Han closed with a two-over-par 74 to finish in a share of 16th place on one-over 217.
That was one stroke ahead of China’s Zhou who tied for 20th and two in front of Ren, who placed 31st.
The distinction of finishing as the leading amateur in the 15th edition of China’s national championship went to 15-year-old Xu Ying who signed off with a 69 to finish equal runner-up with Pang Runzhi – a distant nine strokes behind runaway winner Ji Yuai.
Xu, 148th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, finished strongly with three birdies over the last six holes for her best finish against a pro field. It was her third top-three finish on the China LPGA Tour this season.
“My front nine wasn’t good. On the back nine, I thought I had a chance to get the top amateur medal and that was my target. I did it,” said the Zhuhai native. “In two tournaments I lost out on being the top amateur, so I’m very happy to get this honour.”
Wang Zige, another amateur, ended tied for sixth.
