Thai amateur Thidapa Suwannapura who was disqualified for an incorrect scorecard last week in Beijing, bounced back with a strong round at the Orient Masters Qingdao today to sit two shots off the pace following the first round of the US$50,000 tournament in the northeastern Chinese city.

The 14-year-old Bangkok native shot a one-over 73 in extremely windy conditions on the 6,500-yard Orient Qingdao Country Club layout to trail Chinese leader Hu Ling who birdied the final hole to sit alone atop the leader board after a one-under 71.

Chinese mainland compatriots Yang Jinfang, Lu Yuexia, Ye Liying, Shen Yanhua and Chinese Taipei’s Shih Huei-ju were all one off the pace after even-par rounds.

Thidapa was tied for seventh with Chinese mainlanders Wang Chun and Bai Yunyan, while Thais Pornanong Phatlum and Rungthiwa Pangjan were in a group of four players in equal 10th after a round of 74.

Other Thai scores included Tiranan Yoopan at 75 and Porani Chuthichai, last week’s winner in Beijing, at 77.

Thidapa, who opened with even-par 72 at last week’s Orient Masters Beijing and was subsequently disqualified when it was discovered her marker had incorrectly signed her card, said her period of inactivity had given her lots of time to practice and think about her game.

“Last week my tournament ended too soon and it was no fun watching others out there playing. I was really looking forward to getting out there today,” said the teenager who plays out of Rose Garden.

“Overall, my round was okay today. The wind was really strong today and I only hit 10 fairways and nine greens and took 28 putts. With the length of this course, the big factor now is driving to hit the ball long and set up a good approach. My driving average is about 250 yards and that is my strength, but there are others who hit the ball longer and that is something I need to work on.”

Pornanong, a 17-year-old Chaiyaphum native who has won three times on the All Thailand circuit this year, said her putting cost her today as she finished with a bogey six on the 18th hole.

“Today, my overall play was okay but I struggled with my putting – too many three putts. The back nine here is also pretty long and with the wind swirling around I really need to watch my trajectory and keep the ball low along the ground. The conditions are tougher this week than in Beijing.”

The Orient Masters Qingdao is a China Golf Association-sanctioned event.

Orient Qingdao Country Club is a par-72, 6,500 yard layout designed by T.K. Pen in northeastern China.

Orient Golf will be sending your media organization a daily write-up on the action from Qingdao on each of the three days of the tournament. Any coverage you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Orient Masters Qingdao first round leading scores

71: Hu Ling (CHN) 35-36

72: Yang Jinfang (CHN) 36-36, Lu Yuexia (CHN) 34-38, Ye Liying (CHN) 37-35, Shen Yanhua (CHN) 35-37, Shi Huei-ji (TPE) 36-37

73: Wang Chun (CHN) 36-37, Bai Yunyan (CHN) 35-38, Thidapa Suwannapura (THA) [A] 36-37

74: Zhang Lin (CHN) 36-38, Yu Pei-lin (TPE) 38-36, Pornanong Phatlam (THA) 37-37, Rungthiwa Pangjan (THA) 36-38

75: Gao Hong (CHN) 38-37, Yang Taoli (CHN) 34-41, Lu Kwan-chih (TPE) 37-38, Tiranan Yoopan (THA) 35-40