Becky Brewerton of Wales took a one-stroke lead after signing out with a 5-under 67 in the opening round of the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open at the Taihu International Golf Club here today.

Later she declared that the one-stroke advantage she has is far from being safe with world No. 1 Tseng Ya Ni in the field. Yani and five other players - Lisa Holm Sorensen (Denmark); Lee-Anne Pace (South Africa); Kylie Walker (Scotland); Line Vedel (Denmark) and Giulia Sergas (Italy) - are in joint second place after finishing with identical 4-under 68.

Brewerton who posted six birdies against one bogey, was growing with frustration as she has not been performing well in tournaments and even lost seven kilos through a weight-loss programme to get herself in shape and fit to meet of the demands of the game.

"I hit 13 fairways. My ball striking was really good and the course was playing long too. I played it smart, I played a thinking game and focused on every shot," she said, adding that if she wins the tournament she would go for a corrective eye surgery to avoid using spectacles.

Yani was happy with her game and said she played pretty good and no bogeys.

"There's still two more rounds to go but I believe my form is about 70% of my best. My last hole was exciting. I hit a 4-iron to 180 yards to the pin and birdied it. The performance on that hole was the best for me today," she said, adding that she is working on her swing.

Pace, the defending champion, lamented that she could have returned with a better score and she was happy with her game. "Having Yani in the same group have certainly lifted my game and so we were both even with a 4-under total," said Pace.

Sorensen too was happy with her performance today. "I hit many green and gave myself many opportunities but the pin positions were difficult and different. That itself a a good challenge," she said.

Walker said she played a steady and strees-free game. "I never really was in trouble. I felt comfortable. This is my best start thus far and the course here is marvellous, I really have good memories of this course," she said.

Meanwhile, Thailand's Kongkaphan Patcharachuta shot an ace on Hole 17. Using a 50 degree wedge, her shot bounced off the green and went straight into the cup. It was her ninth hole-in-one in her playing career and third in a tournament.

"I'm very happy obviously with that effort I don't know what prize is being offered, but I learned that I get EUR800 for the effort," said Kongkaphan, who finished her round with a 2-over 74.

China's Tan Lingling was the best Chinese player. She and three others Stacy Bregman of South Africa, Veronica Zorzi of Italy and Caroline Hedwall of Sweden are in joint eighth place.

Leading round one scores

 

67:

Becky Brewerton (Wales);

68:

Lisa Holm Sorensen (Den); Lee-Anne Pace (SA); Tseng Ya Ni (Tpe); Kylie Walker (Sco); Line Vedel (Den); Giulia Sergas (Ita)

69:

Tan Lingling (Chn); Stacy Bregman (SA); Veronica Zorzi (Ita); Caroline Hedwall (Swe)

70:

Jenni Kuosa (Fin); Beth Allen (USA); Anne-Lise Caudal (Fra); Jaclyn Sweeney (USA)Nontaya Srisawang (Tha); Vikki Laing (Sco)Karen Lunn (Aus); Tavey Tiffany (USA); Lu Yu Xia (Chn); Nicole Garret (Aus); Klara Spilkova (Cze)