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Trio share lead as Chua misses hole in one prize

China's Zhong Xiaolong, Chinese Taipei's Teresa Lu and Libby Smith of the USA shared honours after shooting identical 72 in the first round of the US$80,000 Hong Kong Ladies Masters at the Discovery Bay Golf Club today.

However, it was joy and despair for the Philippines' Heidi Chua who scored a hole-in-one on the 133-yard Hole No. 2. Sadly, it was not the designated hole for the Hole-in-One prize - 300,000 Asia Miles.

Using an eight-iron and a titleist ball, Heida directed her shot straight to the pin. "I watched it fall short, bounced three times and rolled into the cup. I started jumping. So was my flightmates Wang Chun of China and Thailand's Nontaya Srisawang. They then started giving me high-fives. I wish it had happened on the 17 th hole so that I could just go out to the clubhouse and start celebrating with beers," said Heidi.

Xiaolong, who finished joint second at the Hong Kong Ladies Masters last year, said she had re-discovered her form. "My form has been on a low for quite a while. I shifted my preparations into high gear early this year to be back in the groove. I was happy with my play," she said.

Teresa, who is gearing up for a second season on the US LPGA Tour, said she has yet to peak but is happy that her game is getting better.

The 19-year-old from Taipei who finished 99th on the US LPGA Money List, said her objective here is to play good golf. "I'm more interested in shaping up my game. It would be a bonus if I'm able to win it here," she said.

Smith, 27, from Vermont, went on a safe approach to end with a birdie on the 18 th. "It was fine out there. The course is in good condition, greens good and fantastic weather too. I was also hitting well and I'm happy to be the joint leader," she said.

China's Zhang Na, Chinese Taipei's Tseng Hsiu Feng, Korea's Lee Eun-kyoung and Japan's Yoshie Yoshida are one-stroke adrift of the leaders after carding one-over 73.

Defending champion Pornanong Phatlum is still within striking distance. The teen Thai shot a two-over 74 to share the eighth spot with India's Irina Brar, Japan's Kaori Yamada and England's Fame More.

"I'll add a little more aggression to my game tomorrow to strike back," said Pornanong who dropped two strokes at the tailend of her game.

Leading 1st round scores (par 72)

72: Zhong Xiaolong (Chn), Libby Smith (USA), Teresa Lu (Tpe)

73: Zhang Na (Chn), Tseng Hsiu Feng (Tpe), Yoshie Yoshida (Jpn), Lee Eun-kyoung (Kor)

74: Kaori Yamada (Jpn), Irina Brar (Ind), Fame More (Eng), Pornanong Phatlum (Tha)

75: Russamme Gulyamitta (Tha), Mika Kimura (Jpn), Shih Hueiju (Tpe), Nicole Jeray (USA), Onnarin Satayabanport (Tha), Rie Shiraki (Jpn), Nontaya Srisawang (Tha).

January 31, 2007