Thailand’s Supamas Sangchan, Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras, and Japanese Kumi Uchiyama have a share of the lead after each carded a 5-under 67 at the Tianma Country Club on the first day of the CTBC Shanghai Ladies Open.

The TLPGA Tour and China LPGA Tour co-sanctioned tournament marks the first time in history a full complement of Chinese Taipei female golfers compete in mainland China. Representing Taiwan and both CTBC players, Yeh Hsin-Ning (葉欣寧) and Cheng Ssu-Chia (程思嘉) sit one shot back at 68.

Coming off her sixth Tour victory last week at the Beijing Challenge, Pan Yanhong (潘艷紅) kept up a decent form to open with a 3-under 68, setting her up in a five way tie for sixth including her compatriot Xu Juan (徐娟), Thais Wichanee Meechai, Thanuttra Boonraksasat, and another CTBC sponsored Lin Tzu Chi (林子麒).

The Tianma Country Club, hit by consecutive days of rain rendering a rough and soggy layout, had allowed players preferred lies during Day 1 plays, but a few players were a little slower than they should be taking the advantage.

On Hole 11, her outward second, Yeh Hsin-Ning, who is seeking her first pro title, hit a driver that sent the ball into an almost unplayable muddy spot. Off-balanced, Yeh continued with the second shot without recreating the tough lie which ultimately led to a bogey, before she was reminded of the rule change only on the next hole.

“The conditions were challenging with the rain overnight. Unlucky if you made it into the mud messes on the fairways,” said Yeh. “The greens were slightly better but needed patience with the ups and downs.”

“But overall I think I adjusted pretty well, the drivers and irons were good, putters needed a little more work, though. I missed a few short putts, but other than that it was a good round.”

17-year-old sensation Cheng Ssu-Chia, who had four victories already under her belt before she turned pro in December, overcame the wet course to card six birdies and two bogeys and finished just one shot off alongside Yeh. “I let a few birdie putts slip, but I think I picked up my game rather quickly toward the back nine,” said Cheng, who is hoping to tally a second Chinese mainland win. The first was in last November when she triumphed at the CLPGA Tour and LET (Ladies European Tour) co-sanctioned Xiamen Open. Last week, she tied for sixth at the inaugural Hong Kong Ladies Open.

Cheng and Yeh were both especially alarmed of the effect the recent heat could make on them after their rough week at the Hong Kong Golf Club, shielding the factors carefully with umbrellas as well as taking in a lot of waters. Cheng even geared up with a cooling neck scarf she took from home.

Another player from Team CTBC, Lin Tzu Chi posted a bogey-free 69, tying with one of the tournament favorites, China’s Pan Yanhong, who made CLPGA Tour history in April by becoming the first woman to take a win overseas down under at the Australia Classic.

The Shanghai Ladies Classic has progressed into its eleventh year and the first time CTBC Bank comes in as the title sponsor. The CTBC Shanghai Ladies Classic also marks Taiwan LPGA Tour’s fourth stop overseas in the 2015 season, and its first foray into China, featuring an RMB800,000 purse and a RMB120,000 champion prize up for grabs for a 120-player field.