DUBAI — Feng Shanshan, who became the first player from mainland China to win a major on the LPGA Tour earlier this year, took a stranglehold on the 500,000 euros Dubai Ladies Masters Thursday as she opened up a four-shot lead at the halfway stage. At the Majlis course of Emirates Golf Club, the world No.6 and the highest ranked player in the field shot a seven-under par 65 to tally 13-under par 131 in the season-ending event of the Ladies European Tour. England's Felicity Johnson made five birdies on her back nine, including one on the 18th, for a 67 to take solo second place at nine-under par 135. Caroline Masson of Germany, the only player in the field who can upstage Money List leader Carlota Ciganda, scored a second consecutive four-under par 68 and was tied for the third place at eight-under par 136 with three others. France's Joanna Klatten matched Feng's 65 as the low round of the day to move up to tied third place along with compatriot Gwladys Nocera (68) and American Cindy Lacrosse (69). Ciganda kept pace with Masson with a 68 of her own that tied her for the eighth place at six-under par 138. Defending champion Alexis Thompson shot a 68 and was six shots behind the leader at seven-under par 137. Michelle Wie (73) closed her round with a double bogey, but made the cut easily at one-under par 143. Two early birdies set the tone for Feng, and she never looked back after that. England's four-time champion Melissa Reid pulled out with a hand injury after a round of 76 Wednesday. “I have shot 66 several times this year, so yesterday, during the first round, I wanted to go lower than that but it did not work out,” said Feng, winner of the LPGA Championship and Japan Open this year. “So, I am really happy that I managed to get a 65 in. “I played really well but I did feel the pressure on the first tee. But the two birdies on the next two holes calmed me down and I was all right after that. I hit some good shots and I putted really well. “I am happy with my position, but there are still two days to go. I am not putting any pressure on myself to win the tournament. I still maintain that I will be very happy if I finish inside the top-5.” Johnson, who made two bogeys and seven birdies during the day, said: “It was a kind of very straightforward round. I hit the ball great again. Hit a lot of greens and had good opportunities, so very happy with my work so far this week. “It's always fun to be in the last few groups, and I knew if I birdied the last, I would be in the last group. I'm looking forward to playing with Shanshan tomorrow.” Schwartzel ahead Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel shot a 7-under 65 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Thailand Golf Championship. The South African made seven birdies in a bogey-free round at Amata Spring Country Club, four coming in the opening seven holes, to hold a narrow advantage over Thitiphun Chuayprakong (66). Daniel Chopra shot a 67 to share third place with Javi Colomo. Third-ranked Bubba Watson shot 68, including an eagle and six birdies, and defending champion Lee Westwood shot 70. Senden leads Rose Australian John Senden enjoyed calm morning conditions to fire a six-under-par 66 for a two-shot lead over world No. 4 Justin Rose after the opening round of the Australian Open at The Lakes in Sydney Thursday. Senden, fresh from his finest season on the US PGA Tour where he had five top-10 finishes, collected eight birdies in his round. The 41-year-old, an Australian Open winner six years ago at Royal Sydney, led the field from Rose and four others – New Zealand's Gareth Paddison and Australians Brendan Jones, Kim Felton and Richard Green -- who were all on four-under 68. Among the casualties from the afternoon starters were eight-times major champion Tom Watson, who carded a six-over 78. Contesting the Open for the first time since 1985, Watson dropped six shots in four holes amid a horror stretch on the front nine. “I'm embarrassed,” the American great grimaced. — Agencies
