China's Jin Cheng fires tournament record eight-under 62 at Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship
The 17-year-old shoots six birdies and an eagle in the first round to lead New Zealand's Nick Voke and Singapore's Gregory Foo
Jin Cheng fired a brilliant course and tournament record eight-under-par 62 as Chinese golfers made their presence felt in the opening round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club on Thursday.
The 17-year-old Jin produced four birdies and an eagle over a sizzling five-hole jaunt after a lightning storm caused a 90-minute delay in the morning. He took a two-stroke lead over New Zealand’s Nick Voke and Singapore’s Gregory Foo, whose six-under-par 64s equalled the previous course record.
The delay meant 27 golfers, including Voke, were unable to finish their rounds on Thursday and will resume this morning.
China’s Tang Rongjian and She Zihan (16 holes) were three strokes behind at 65 along with Guam’s Devin Hua and India’s Priyanshu Singh (14 holes).
I didn’t know it was a house record but eight under is my lowest tournament score. I had seven under a lot of times but this is my first time shooting 62
China’s Guan Tianlang, the 2012 winner, shot a two-under 68 while Australia’s defending champion Antonio Marduca opened with a 69.
Starting from the 10th hole, Jin had birdies on the 17th, first, second, third, fifth and seventh. His eagle came on the 18th.
“It has been a great day for me and the score was beyond my expectation,” said Jin, who shot a career-best round. “I hit the ball really good, hit many fairways and greens on a regular basis and made some putts.“I didn’t know it was a house record but eight under is my lowest tournament score. I had seven under a lot of times but this is my first time shooting 62.”
He beat the tournament low by one stroke and was two better than the previous course best.
Jin is trying to emulate Guan, who won the tournament as a 13-year-old in 2012 and went on to make the cut at the US Masters the following spring.