Ji two shots ahead as storm threatens Shanghai tournament

China's Ji Yuai put herself in control of the inaugural FILA GOLF Women's Classic on Saturday ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Bebinca as the Dalian teenager carded a four-under 68 to maintain a two-shot lead through two rounds in Shanghai.

With the tropical storm threatening to hit the nearby Zhejiang province coastline and cancel the final round of 1.2 million yuan China LPGA Tour event, the 19-year-old Ji was 10-under 134 through 36 holes on the Yangtze Links course at PGA Golf Club Anying.

Amateur Tang Rongze shot her second straight 68 to sit second, while veteran Li Dongmei (67) was third three shots off the pace. Sui Xiang (68) and Chinese Taipei's Hung Chieh-ning (67) were equal fourth a shot further back.

Two players were left out on the course when play was called for darkness.

Ji, the overnight leader who went into the day two shots ahead, held steady in the blustery conditions to post five birdies, including four on the back nine, and a lone bogey in the hunt for her second title of the season.

"I am not happy with this round because I missed plenty of short birdie putts. But I still had a good break. I found a ball in the rough and saved a great par. The god of fortune still stood on my side," said Ji, winner of the Tianjin Women's Open in April.

"I knew about the weather prediction. If the third round was cancelled due to the typhoon this evening I would be happy to win this trophy. But I prefer hoisting the trophy after the third round. The triumph would be more solid and more complete with the whole tournament finished. But I wouldn't change my aggressive plan in the final round. It worked in Tianjin. I believe it would work tomorrow, too."

Tang, the 15-year-old from Qingdao who won the Monday qualifier, continued to impress. Her round included five birdies, including two consecutive to start her day, and a lone bogey five at the 384-yard seventh hole.

Among her highlights was a 30-foot birdie putt at the first and a 65-foot birdie on the eighth.

"I played very steady for the last two days. The putting game was fantastic. I made a couple of long putts," said the teenager. "I played with Ji Yuai once in a junior event a few years ago. She hit long, which I admire a lot. Two shots aren't much, but you contend against Ji who is a great player. It could be a tough battle. I would be happy if I had three low scores even without a title."

Li, a 30-year-old from Chongqing, started the day on the back nine and put together a round featuring seven birdies, including two straight to finish, and two bogeys in the hunt for her first CLPGA Tour title.

"The conditions in the morning were very different from last afternoon. We were able to have a comfortable front nine (the back nine) and then played in windy conditions after the turn," said Li who won a tournament on the CLPGQ development circuit in Beijing last month.

"The birdie at the fifth (her 14th hole) was the highlight. After making a watery bogey on the previous hole, I was eager for a birdie to make up for it. I then made a long downhill birdie putt from 27 feet. This year I failed to qualify for the Japan LPGA at the first stage, but it is an inspiring journey. I worked very hard for the qualifying. I feel I am better player now."