Fresh from earning a full-time playing card for the 2024 US LPGA Tour season, Nanchang teenager Zeng Liqi is back home looking to add the Orient Women's China Open to her impressive resume.

CHINA DAILY

Speaking on Monday at the Orient (Xiamen) Golf and Country Club in Fujian province on the eve of the national championship, which takes place from Tuesday to Thursday, the 17-year-old said she played solid at the grueling qualifying school in Mobile, Alabama, where she carded a six-round score of 16-under 414 to finish 14th.

Because she didn't meet the 18 age requirement to participate in the LPGA Q-Series, Zeng, a four-time winner on the CLPGA Tour, successfully petitioned LPGA Tour commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan for a waiver of the minimum-age rule and didn't disappoint.

She is now the youngest Chinese to earn LPGA Tour membership.

"There was always something that stood out each round. In some rounds, I started very well and it was plain sailing from then on. The other day I thrived late in the round and made up ground. I also had miserable holes where I ran into a series of bad breaks. But I can't complain as I passed through in my first attempt and didn't waste the minimum-age requirement waiver."

Zeng said she is coming into Fujian province with fond memories of the Orient (Xiamen) after winning the CGA Ladies Championship here last year for her second pro title. She is currently second on the CLPGA Tour Order of Merit behind Thai Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong.

"I rallied from behind (overnight leader Liu Yan) and had a fantastic triumph at the CGA Ladies Championship. But I don't have much time to recover from jet lag. I am quite tired and haven't taken a good rest since the Sina Cup in Guangzhou last month. But it's our national championship as well as the season finale. I want to join the field and end my year well."

The national open championship is being contested for the 13th occasion.

It was last held in 2019 when LPGA Tour regular Lin Xiyu became the first Chinese mainland player to win the tournament.

While Lin will not be in Xiamen to defend, notables in the field for the 500,000 yuan ($70,000) tournament include Guangzhou's Ren Yue, a 22-year-old who has secured a half LPGA Tour card for next year after finishing equal 45th at the qualifying school, and Zhang Weiwei, the 2019 CLPGA Tour Order of Merit winner.

Zhang also has a half playing card for the US next year after finishing equal 35th at the Q school. This year, the Hainan native made seven cuts in her 14 tournament appearances at US LPGA Tour events. In 2022, her maiden year stateside, she made two cuts in 10 events.

"I played better than last year in the US.My tee shots and approach shots were ideal, but my scoring was not as good as what I wanted. I hit some good putts only to make nothing," said Zhang, a five-time winner on the CLPGA Tour.

"I felt pressure from keeping the card late this season. My mental game became worse and worse. This is what I need to work on for next year. The ranking was not what I wanted, but I believe that I have game and belong in/the LPGA," she added.

The 26-year-old Zhang hopes this week's tournament can lift her spirits and boost her confidence heading into the new season.

"The Women's China Open promises to be a fantastic week with many talented players. It's a long time since I played on the China LPGA Tour," she said. "I feel thrilled and am looking forward to meeting old friends out there. It's a good opportunity to play in a different and exciting ambience."

Looking to spoil the homecoming is money leader Sherman. The 27-year-old is coming off a strong season where she won the CLPGA Q school in February and then went wire-to-wire to claim the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Championship in June. In all, she posted five top-10 finishes in nine events.

The Thai, however, tried to play down any talk of a battle for the money list crown between Zeng and herself. Sherman currently leads the standings by 36,159 yuan.

"Actually, my goal is just try to win every tournament, try to do my best every day," said Sherman, who last week finished equal 29th at the ISPS Handa Australian Open. "When I play golf I just focus on myself to play my best every shot."

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