Three share lead on tight leaderboard in Xiamen

Belgian Chloe Leurquin and Chinese Taipei amateur Cheng Ssu-chia both carded rounds of four-under 68 on Saturday to grab a share of the second-round lead with South African Connie Chen (70) at the Xiamen Open International in Fujian province.

With the leaders sitting at six-under 138 at the co-sponsored event between the China LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour (LET), Scotland's Vikki Laing (67) and Australian Nikki Garrett (70) were one shot off the pace, while US LPGA Tour regular Lin Xiyu (70) was the top Chinese player at three shots back.

Starting her round early in the morning, overnight leader Chen could only muster a lone birdie on both the front and back nines during her bogey-free round.

"It was a good solid round. I scrambled quite well today, but my long game wasn't at its best. I struggled a bit off the tee on the front nine, got it together on the back nine," said the Guangzhou-based pro, a winner in Tenerife in September. "But I can feel like my game is there. Tomorrow I'm just going to show up and play, let it happen."

Cheng, a 17-year-old who has won three times on the Taiwan circuit this year, reeled off five birdies in her round before finishing with a bogey at the par-four last.

"I was able to keep my emotions stable, so I'm pretty happy with this score," said the teenager who grew up idolizing Yani Tseng and plans to turn pro next year.

"I'm feeling confident in myself (for tomorrow) because I've played really good golf this week. My shots and putting have been really good. I'm excited."

Like Cheng, Leurquin had a bogey on her final hole, the par-five ninth, missing an opportunity to take the outright lead at the 250,000-euros tournament.

"I was playing very solid the first nine, so always pretty close and made two birdies and just one bogey on nine, so I was one-under. And then I made four birdies in a row. I made quite long putts on one and two, and then chipped in on three. Then I put it very close on four," said the 24-year-old LET rookie who is playing to retain her Tour card for next year, as well as get her first win.

"I hope so. Of course I think about it (winning). I might win because I'm leading and I'm playing well for the moment and so of course it's in my mind. But I'll just try like I played today and yesterday, just play for the green and two-putt, one-putt if it goes in. But I'll just try not to put so much pressure on myself and just do it."

After winning twice in the past two weeks in Hainan Island, China No. 2 Lin felt she still had an outside chance of winning. Her round started with a bogey-five at the first before she reeled off three consecutive birdies starting at the sixth hole.

"The score is decent, but details weren't good. The good part is three birdies in a row, but the rest is so-so. I made more troubles than chances at the back nine. When chances were out there, I wasn't able to take advantage. Luckily, I had many good saves," said the Guangzhou native.

"Tomorrow I will try to play aggressive. I don't think this golf course is very difficult."