2006 Hong Kong Ladies Masters - Round 2: Three way tie in windy conditions

Sweden's Linda Wessberg tamed the strong winds to shoot the day's lowest score of 5-under 68 (par 73 course) for a 36-hole total of 143 to share the lead with overnight joint leader Zhong Xiao Long of China and Thai amateur Pornanong Phatlum.

Zhong, shot one-over 74 and blamed it on the strong winds. "I did not switch my gameplan to combat the strong winds. It was only in the second half of the stretch that I started using long irons to check my game," she said.

In contrast, Wessberg handled the conditions well. "It was kind of smart approach that I took. There were crosswinds, headwinds and tailwinds, so the choice of clubs was vital. I guess I picked the right ones from my bag and hit them well," said the Swede, adding that on some holes she had to play three clubs extra to get the desired distance.

Wessberg's bogey-free round was one of her best scores in windy conditions. "I am happy with the way I played. I managed my game well and that perhaps it explains why I was able to play 5-under for the day

For Pornanong, all was going well. Interestingly she said she did not mind the strong winds. "I guess many golfers don't like them, so I played a steady game to cut down on mistakes for my par golf today," said the petite teenager from Bangkok.

The leading trio go into the final round tomorrow with a one-stroke cushion over China's Yang Hong Mei who played to 3-under 70 today.

The other joint day one leader Teresa Lu of Chinese Taipei was blown off the fairways after signing out the second round with a eight over-81.
Hong Kong's teenage Demi Mak is tied joint 9th when she finished with a three-over 76.

"I guess it was good for me as sometimes I was able to take my stance nicely due to the strong winds," she said.

The cut off mark was 174 for top 51 and five amateurs

February 9, 2006