Feng starts strong in Malaysia title defence

KUALA LUMPUR: Feng Shanshan opened her Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia title defence in solid fashion with a five-under-par 66 to sit one stroke off the lead after the first round Thursday.
Alison Lee of the United States and Lin Xiyu of China shared the lead at six-under after starting with a slew of birdies and hanging on after a three-hour rain delay disrupted play.
Feng, the Chinese world number 7, kept the pace with six birdies of her own at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
“Overall I think I did well to score five under. I’m happy I did not have too much pressure during the round and still brought out my A-Game,” said Feng.
Michelle Wie, who like Lee played a role in the United States’ emotional Solheim Cup victory over Europe last month, was among three players also at five-under.
World number one Inbee Park carded a three-under-par 71 with three birdies on an otherwise clean card.
Second-ranked Lydia Ko, who at age 18 became the youngest women’s major winner at the Evian Championship last month, double-bogeyed the 11th hole and followed with a bogey on the next.
She ended the day on even par along with a pack of golfers including 2013 winner Lexi Thompson.
Home stars Lin, Hung take lead in Taiwan’s Yeangder tournament
TAIPEI: Taiwan hopeful Lin Wen-tang fired a sizzling five-under-par 67 to share the opening round lead with countryman Hung Chun-kang Thursday at the $500,000 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship.
One shot behind were Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines, who finished second last year, Shaun Norris of South Africa, Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand and India’s Khalin Joshi after the first round of the tournament held at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club near the capital Taipei.
Tied for third place were Chinese Taipei duo Hung Chien-yao and veteran Lu Wen-teh.
The 42-year-old Lin, six-time Asian Tour winner who is on a quest for his first title of the year, credited his health and fitness training.
“I haven’t played much on the Asian Tour because I used to get tired very easily when I travel too often. Now I’ve been going to the gym for half a year and it has helped a lot. I’m 42 this year so I can’t keep playing and travelling,” said Lin.
Hung, 24, played well on the front nine and sank four straight birdies from the 16th hole in surprise charge that kept him on the leaderboard.