Birdie blitz helps Lee to Beijing lead

Riding a red-hot back nine where she carded six birdies, Chinese Taipei's Lee Chia-pei shot a seven-under 65 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead in the opening round of the Le Coq Sportif Beijing Ladies Classic.

South Korea's Song Ji-won (66) and China's Chen Cuixia were equal second at the China LPGA Tour event at Beijing Orient Pearl Golf Course. China's Liu Yu, Chinese Taipei's Shih Huei-ju and South Koreans Lee Jeong-hwa and Yeom Hye-in were equal third on 67.

Lee, 22, credited her putter for her hot round as she sank birdie putts of more than 30 feet at the second hole, as well as on the 12th, 15th and 16th holes. Her last birdie came at the 17th when her approach with a seven-iron landed 10 feet from the pin. Altogether, she had 23 putts in her round.

"Entering the day I didn't expect such a low score. I just told myself that I had to be in a better tempo when I was on the tee," said the third-year pro. "This is my lowest score and I also had the most birdies in a round. It could be my second time to lead a tournament."

Lee, who is playing on the China LPGA Tour for a second year after having to return to the qualifying school to regain her playing card, said such an experience had forced her to review her year and make some changes, mainly on her mental game.

"Everything is great. This round should be 99 out of 100 if I gave myself a mark. There is always room to improve yourself. You could be better," she said. "Tomorrow is a new day. I have to face another 18 holes. I must do what I need to do."

Song, a rookie from Busan, held the early lead when she carded five birdies through eight holes to make the turn at 31. She then dropped a stroke with a bogey five at the 12th before bouncing back for consecutive birdies from the 13th hole.

"This is really great round. I started well. I hit great irons and putts. My putter is fantastic," said the smiling 22-year-old. "Tomorrow I have to play a safe game in my mind. I like China. I felt comfortable. That' s why I am here."

Playing in the afternoon, Chen Cuixia carded a strong round that included seven birdies and one bogey.

"Recently, I changed my swing. I struggled last week at the Buick Championship and missed the cut, but now I feel better," said the Yunan native. "This round definitely confirmed what I worked on. I am happy with the way I played and building my confidence. Of course the putter helps. I can read those greens. I just made one bogey because that hole is long to me. I am happy and want to keep it going tomorrow."

Liu, a Beijing native who plays mainly on the US Symetra Tour, started with a birdie, one of three she had on the day in a bogey-free round that included an eagle three at the par-five 14th hole.

"I was really steady without a bogey. I started with a birdie, and went well since then," said the 20-year-old. "The golf course is very score-able if you play well. I can be better with a good long game. The eagle was a turning point with the shot of the day from deep rough into three feet."