2007 DLF Women's Indian Opens - Round 2: Tseng Ya Ni hits the front

Chinese Taipei's Tseng Ya Ni and Thailand's Russamee Gulyanamitta, who shared to the joint second spot at the end of the first round of the USD100,000 DLF Women's Indian Open, moved up to occupy the first and second position respectively at the end of second round's play at the DLF Golf & Country Club today.

Ya Ni, who hails from Taipei, shot a 2-under 70 for a two round total of 140, while Russamee fired a 1-under 71 for a 141 total.

In contrast, Round One leader Meghna Bal an amateur from India, did not get her act right as she signed off with a 2-over 74 to drop to third position. Another Indian hope Irina Brar succumbed to the strong winds and had a poor round of 7-over 79 and dropped to share the 9 th spot with Chinese Taipei's Shih Huei Ju and Japan's Rie Shiraki..

Barely over two months after turning professional, Ya Ni, who as an amateur helped Chinese Taipei to win the 2005 Queen Sirikit Cup in Bangkok and then again in 2006 in Australia, said she struck solid shots today despite the strong winds.

"I hit it pretty well today but was a little disappointed as I missed a lot of short putts including two from about 2 feet and another one from about 3 feet. Those were for birdies," Ya Ni said.

What was more disappointing for her was that she bogeyed two holes that were easily meant for birdie.

"I wanted to play safe but I couldn't take control," said Ya Ni, who posted birdies on the 3rd, 6th, 9 th, 12th and 18th holes. However, she dropped one each on the 2nd, 8th and 13th.

Russamee hit solid shots with the driver that gave her good chance to pick up strokes. "But I did have it good with my irons, still I managed to make some good putts. I played pretty good to make the turn at 2-under. The home stretch was a little tough with the strong winds coming in all directions," she said.

Meghna, who had hoped to stretch her lead today, was having a good front nine (started on the 10th tee). She posted a birdie on the 14 th (her fifth hole) and made the turn at 1-under. However, it was a different act altogether on her way back. She bogeyed the second, fourth and sixth holes to surrender her lead.

"I wasn't able to control my shots. My shots did not fall on the targeted areas. It affected my concentration and I sort of lost control. However, I checked my game and by adopting cautious play and finished with a two-over par score. I'll try and regain something tomorrow to have my name printed on the trophy," she said.

Fifty professionals and one amateur made the cut for the final round tomorrow.

Leading Round 2 scores:

140: Tseng Ya Ni (Tpe) 70-70

141: Russamee Gulyanamitta (Tha) 70-71

142: Meghna Bal (Ind) 68-74

143: Lee Eun-kyoung (Kor) 71-72

145: Titiya Plucksataporn (Tha) 75-70

146: Yeo Ji-yae (Kor) 75-71

147: Lee Bo-ri (Kor) 71-76; Jade Schaffer (Fra) 75-72

149: Irina Brar (Ind) 70-79; Shih Huei Ju (Tpe) 72-77; Rie Shiraki (Jap) 72-77.

March 15, 2007