Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open Golf: Scots make encouraging start in China

DESPITE the presence of world No 1 Yani Tseng on the leaderboard, Scottish duo Kylie Walker and Vikki Laing both made encouraging starts in the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open in China.

Walker, the highest-placed Scot on this season’s Ladies European Tour money list, opened with a four-under-par 68, her best start to an event in the paid ranks, to lie a shot off the lead while Laing signed for 70 to sit just outside the top ten.

“I’m happy with four-under,” said Walker, who finished eighth in the same event last year in her rookie season. “It was quite steady and stress-free – I was never in trouble.

“I only missed two greens, gave myself a lot of chances and made a few of them.”

Walker, whose best finish this season was fourth place in Prague, is lying 49th on the Henderson money-list.

“I’m driving it nicely, which is an advantage around here if you can be in the right positions. It sets you up for a good shot into the green,” added The Carrick on Loch Lomond touring pro.

“I really like this course. I had a good finish here last year, so I’ve got good memories.”

Clearly enjoying China – she produced her best performance of the season to finish second in last week’s Sanya Ladies’ Open – Laing was also four-under with three holes to play.

She then dropped successive shots but is still well placed, the pace having been set by Becky Brewerton, from Wales, with a five-under 67. Tseng is alongside Walker as well as Danish duo Lisa Holm Sorensen and Line Vedel, South African Lee-Anne Pace and Italian Giulia Sergas.