- Team Tamburlini victorious with a score of 37-under-par
- Xiyu Lin and Celine Boutier tied at the top in the Individual competition
Team Tamburlini secured a one-stroke victory winning with a total of 37-under-par at the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Shenzhen held at Mission Hills China.
The quartet of Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini, South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace, China’s Qianhui Lin and amateur Yanxuan Peng began the day in second place on -19 on the World Cup Course.
It was a hot start for the team as they made the turn in 12-under-par for the day, with three holes left to play the quartet knew they needed to make a few more birdies and on the 16th, CLPGA player Lin made a birdie with 15-year-old amateur Peng making a birdie-net-eagle.
As they came down the last, Team Tamburlini knew they needed one more birdie, and it was the captain who rolled in her birdie putt to spark celebrations on the green.
“These two definitely stepped up on 16, we almost had an eagle and we had a net eagle which was incredible to put us about level with the other team,” said Tamburlini, who is taking home her first Aramco Team Series presented by PIF title.
“We knew they had finished at -36 when we were on the 18th tee and with it being a reachable par-five, we had to wait for the green to clear. We were chatting and had some good vibes knowing we needed one more birdie and luckily we got it.”
Pace, who was also winning the Team event for the first time, explained: “I was talking about that this morning winning in China and being back in China. With this amazing team, it’s been such a great experience to be back here.”
21-year-old Lin said: “We really had so much fun these two days and we really did a good job.”
Peng added: “It was very exciting for the eagle, we were just one behind so I knew I needed to have a birdie there and I did it.”
Team Boutier pushed the winners all the way, finishing in second place on 36-under-par after producing back-to-back rounds of -18 in China.
Team Angel Yin were third on 34-under, Team Xiyu Lin were one shot further back with Team Fanali, Team Roussin-Bouchard and Team Ruoning Yin all in a share of fifth place.
In the Individual competition, China’s Xiyu Lin and France’s Celine Boutier sit tied at the top of the leaderboard on 12-under-par.
Defending champion Lin fired another round of 67 (-6) with seven birdies and one bogey on her scorecard to have a great chance of keeping the Individual trophy with her.
“The first hole was a nice little treat because I hit an okay drive and pulled my ball to the left, but then I made a 45-footer and I was like okay, today is going really well,” said Lin, who won bronze at the Paris Olympic Games.
“All I was thinking about today was winning the Team event and we put in a good effort, we’re just short but we had a good time. It was good to play with Liz [Young] and Marta [Sanz Barrio] and Nan [Sun]. We definitely tried our absolute best.
“My nickname has always been penguin because I’ve been doing aimpoint for so long, but every time I feel the slope with my feet my body wiggles. Lots of my friends always say they can see me from a distance because with the wiggle they know exactly who it is. Ever since I have been called penguin.
“For me, number one priority is to get a good rest. I think I left something out there the last few holes, it was really hot, and I was losing concentration. To get a good rest tonight and see what happens tomorrow. It will be a little more fiery, but I’m going to play my own golf and see what happens.”
Five-time LET winner Boutier followed up her first round of 66 (-7) with a bogey-free 68 (-5) on day two to join the Olympic bronze medallist at the top of the leaderboard.
“It was working well yesterday and today as well, I felt a little bit more comfortable with it. It was nice to be able to see some putts drop and hopefully, more tomorrow,” said Boutier, who has a new putter in the bag.
“Any bogey-free round is always good especially when you’re trying to shoot a low score. It’s always nice. My game has been steady all day, I didn’t miss too many greens and was able to get up-and-downs when I needed. It was a very positive round and hopefully, I can build on it.
“The team event was very fun, I definitely got into it quite a bit. My team was very good and we made a lot of birdies the last two days. Our amateur really came in clutch today and it was good to get him fired up and involved.
“I like team formats and to be able to come that close is a little bit disappointing because I feel we could have got the win, but we played so good and I’m very proud of my team.”
China’s Wenbo Liu sits in outright third place on nine-under-par after carding a 68 (-5) in the second round.
Six players are in a share of fourth place on eight-under-par including France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard who fired the round of the day with a 66 (-7).
The two-time LET winner sits alongside Thailand’s Kusuma Meechai, American Angel Yin, Switzerland’s Tamburlini, South Africa’s Pace and Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen.
Seven players are in T10 at the end of the first two days on seven-under-par including world number four Ruoning Yin.
There were two aces on day two in Shenzhen with France’s Emma Grechi and Sweden’s Moa Folke both making a hole-in-one on the par-three eighth.
The cut fell at +2 with 65 players making it through to the final round of action at Mission Hills China.
Round Three will begin at 7.30 am (local time) with the leading group teeing off at 11.41 am with the Individual winner being crowned on Sunday afternoon.
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