China Open: history-making Zhang Jienalin has a chance of making weekend after solid opener
- Zhang hits respectable three-over-par 75 on opening day as she becomes first woman to compete at the China Open
Zhang Jienalin will need a little bit of luck and maybe a tailwind if she is to realise her ambition of making the cut in the Volvo China Open tomorrow.
A three-over-par 75 has put the 24-year-old from Henan province on the cusp of qualification, however the cushion that would have given her an easier night’s sleep disappeared late in the round when she made a double bogey seven at the demanding 575-yard par-five 17th hole at Genzon Golf Club. Only the leading 50 scores and ties will win through to the weekend.
“I was two-over par standing on the ninth tee and I told my caddie, OK, it’s time we made a birdie,” said Zhang, who won a mixed event in Hangzhou in October. “I hit a really good drive and followed that with a solid three-wood to the bottom of the hill from where I hit a nine-iron to three feet.”
The birdie four settled Zhang down and she went on to make par at the next five holes before dropping a shot at the difficult 470-yard par-four 15th hole, which features a lake running from tee to green on the right hand side of the fairway. However Zhang bounced back with a birdie two on the par-three 16th before disaster struck one hole later.
“I hit a really nice drive and a good second shot on the 17th – I just made a mess of my approach shot, which went into the hazard,” said Zhang, who then made a solid par at the water-strewn closing hole to sign for a very respectable 75.
