There's No Place Like Home
Returning home each year is a welcome change for China’s Xi Yu Lin.
The trip each season to the Blue Bay LPGA affords Lin the opportunity to return close to her hometown of Guangzhou, which is just a short hour-long flight from the site of this week’s Tournament on Hainan Island. The comfort of returning home has brought out some of Lin’s best golf in this event, which resulted in a top-5 finish in 2015 for her best week of the year.
“I guess the course condition will be more close to where I would normally practice when I was young, so the grass and the greens, it's very familiar for me,” Lin said. “And also to be honest, I love playing in hot weather. Much better than cold weather. So I love just playing under the sun, and doesn't matter if it's windy or not. And plus, I love the food in Hainan. I love the coconuts and mangos and everything. So yeah, it always brings me good memories, yes.”
Lin joined China’s national team at just 13-years of age and has missed spending time with family and friends as her life as a professional golfer has taken her far from home, including a trip to Rio this summer to represent her country in the Olympic games. But the return to the Blue Bay LPGA gives Lin a chance to reconnect with those she misses most, particularly her mother.
“So I was away from home when I was really, really young, and I always want to spend more time with my parents, and not just my parents but all my relatives in China,” Lin said. “Because even my parents, like they don't really speak English, so it will be a little better for them to travel Asia with me. And plus, my mom is just my lucky star. Every time I bring her to Hainan, there will be something good happens. That's why I bring her here again.”
Lin is looking lucky again, currently in a share of fifth through 36-holes.
2016 ROLEX FIRST-TIME WINNER MASSON IN THE MIX
Germany’s Caroline Masson shot her second-consecutive 69 to put her in solo second heading into round three. After carding a one-over par 37 on her outward nine, Masson rallied on the back-side with four birdies and no bogeys for an inward nine of four-under-par 32.
Masson became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the Manulife LPGA Classic where she edged out this week’s leader Minjee Lee, Mi Hyang Lee and Karine Icher by one shot. Masson and Minjee Lee were paired together in that final round with Masson shooting 67 to Lee’s 68. The two will be paired together alongside Carlota Ciganda in tomorrow’s third round at the Blue Bay LPGA.
Masson is leaning on the confidence she garnered with her win back in September.
“Yeah, definitely after finally winning after four years on Tour, it definitely shows that I can do it and it helps with the confidence. Today it was important to stay patient out there, be confident and kind of be relaxed and not try to force things too much,” Masson remarked. “I think I’ve gotten a little more relaxed on the golf course after my win, so that’s definitely a good thing.”
One of many players to arrive late to Blue Bay due to Typhoon Sarika, Masson only played four holes of practice on Wednesday. To add to the unusual week, Masson has a new caddie on her bag Derrick Redd who did not arrive until late Wednesday night. The two are meshing well despite one working distances in yards and the other in meters.
“You know, we just tried to figure out the yardages and work together very well, and made sure we had the right yardage and the meters,” Masson said. “So I’m keeping pretty busy out there, and so is he. Obviously we’re really focused on that and trying to make the best decisions we can out there and trust in the numbers.”
Masson hit 13 fairways and 13 greens in round two and birdied her final three holes on the day.
CARLOTA CONTINUES STRONG
Rolex Rankings No. 23 Carlota Ciganda continued her strong play in round two with a one-under-par 71. Ciganda currently sits at five-under-par in a tie for 3rd with Jessica Korda. The duo is seven shots behind the leader Minjee Lee. Ciganda has posted three top-17 finishes in her last three starts, including her maiden LPGA Tour victory at last week’s LPGA KEB HanaBank Championship.
ROOKIE ON HOME TURF
New to the LPGA this year, Jiayi Zhou was grouped with fellow rookies Gaby Lopez and Megan Khang for round two. Hailing from Dalian, China, Zhou is well-trained to play on the undulating greens and windy conditions this week.
“Some course near the sea, so it’s really windy and there’s some course on the mountain, so many hills, so many challenge there.” In addition, Zhou practices in Tianjin where there are strong winds and many links-style courses.
Looking ahead, Zhou aims for a top-10 finish next year, but first the LPGA Qualifying School. “Step by step, don’t worry. Don’t hurry,” she tells herself. As for the growth of golf in China, Zhou believes golf will be more popular next year or in the future. “I see many big future in China,” she said.
MORE THAN A STEP
The Blue Bay LPGA launched a Charity Walk in partnership with WeChat, China’s main social media platform. Spectators are encouraged to record and donate their steps through WeChat during the tournament. Donations will go to the charity featured on WeChat’s platform each day. The program aims to promote the benefits of exercise, and the tournament will incentivize spectators with prizes to the top 20 donators.
OF NOTE
- Rolex Rankings No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn shot a second-round 71 and sits in a tie for 10th
- Rolex Rankings No. 5 Brooke Henderson posted a three-over-par 75 and is tied for 18th
- Princeton University alumna Kelly Shon shot 66, the low score of the day.
- Nine different countries are represented within the top-10 and ties through two rounds: Australia, Germany, Spain, United States, China, Republic of Korea, Thailand, South Africa and England
- Na Yeon Choi withdrew during round two.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
- 4 - Players with under-par finishes at the end of last year’s tournament
- 1 - Score in the 60s during round two of the 2015 Blue Bay LPGA
- 6 - Scores in the 60s during round two of this year’s tournament
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