Thailand’s Kanphanitnan Muangkhumsakul, Nontaya Srisawang, and Taiwan’s pro rookie Mayko Chwen Wang (王淳), Chiu Ling-Ti (邱齡緹), and Hsieh Yu-Ling (謝瑀玲) head a jam-packed leaderboard after the first round of the Hitachi Ladies Classic at the Orient Golf & Country Club.

The group of five took procession of the lead by just one shot, with matching 3-under 69s, in an extremely crowded leaderboard that had 33 players within three shots of the frontrunners. Three-time defending champion, Thai star Pornanong Phatlum, who is seeking to extend her title count at this event to five in just six years, carded 70 and sit in a nine-way tie for sixth at 2-under 70.

Home course talent, 18-year-old Taiwanese Cheng Ssu-Chia (程思嘉), her compatriots Yu Pei-Lin (余珮琳) and Lin Tzu-Chi (林子麒) also finished the first day just one stroke off the lead.

Mayko Chwen Wang, 23, turned pro last June after graduating from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Wang attempted to play and qualify for memberships on the European and U.S. tours, but unfortunately was not successful. The Hitachi Ladies Classic became her first official professional tournament.

Wang is the daughter of Wang Ko-Wen, a bronze medalist at the team dressage event in equestrian at the 2014 Asian Games; her mother, who used to work in the sales department in the newly opened Orient Golf & Country Club, would always take a young Wang around before Wang decided to take up golf. She went to the U.S. at 15 to really start competitive golf trainings as she played as a varsity team member through high school and university.

The young Taiwanese showcased her all-around game on Friday, picking up five birdies against two birdies with a 33 on the front nine and a 36 on the final nine. Wang drained a 30-foot birdie putt on Hole 11 which was just one of her great putting displays throughout all day. She needed only 29 putts.

However, on the front nine it was 15-year-old amateur Chang Ya-Chun (張雅淳) who nabbed the spotlight. Chang fired a 5-under 31, the low first-nine record in tournament history, although the record was unofficial as it was played under the “preferred lies” rule.

“I felt like it was almost at my will, my wedge control was spot on. It seemed that on almost every hole, the ball was just able to find the pin.” Chang said. “But I probably got a little too excited and it cost me a few easy misses on the back. I’m glad in the end I’m just two shots behind the lead. I really want to win it this week.”

Chang, who idolizes Phatlum, actually made a bet with the defending champion. “The one who plays lower will get a bubble milk tea!” said Chang. She registered a first-round 71, tying for 15th with six other players including 2015 year-end TLPGA Open winner Phoebe Yao (姚宣榆) and Hitachi Taiwan ambassador Yeh Hsin-Ning (葉欣寧).

Phatlum, now getting just one shot ahead of Chang, wasn’t happy with her putter today. “I thought I was hitting great. I hit fourteen greens but was missing some easy putts. I hope I can get the feel back quickly for tomorrow.” Phatlum’s steady round included three birdies and one bogey.

Cheng Ssu-Chia also carded three birdies and one bogey to sit at 70, looking to take her first pro win after a decorated amateur career. “I played a solid round. Could have made a few more birdies but I feel I’m playing good golf. I hope I can keep up the pace on the weekend.”

Taiwan’s Hsieh and Chiu both used four birdies against one bogey to grab the lead. In 2016, Hsieh will be swinging for the first time on the Japan LPGA Tour. “Yeah, I was kind of playing this as a warm-up to my future tournaments in Japan, so I didn’t really feel too much pressure, just wanted to concentrate on the execution of each shot.”

Amateur Chang Yu-Hsin (張雨心) made her second career ace on the 145-yard 2nd using an 8-iron, winning a hole-in-one prize of a Hitachi split air conditioner. She finally falls in a tie for 87th at 78.

The NT$ 10 million event presented by Hitachi Ltd. and Taiwan Hitachi Co., Ltd. is the very first pro golf tour event globally and will be the first to offer any world golf ranking points as well. The points will be counted toward the Rio Olympic Games qualification. The winner will be determined on Sunday to be rewarded a cash prize worth NT$2.5 million.

The earliest group will tee it up for the second round at 8:10, while the last group tees off at 10:34 in the morning.

Book your tickets now at http://www.ticket.com.tw/dm.asp?P1=7000000410. Fans can utilize the additional shuttle bus service on the weekends at Exit 1 of Taipei MRT Line 4 Huilong Station. For more information on the 2015 Hitachi Ladies Classic, please visit the tournament website at http://www.taiwan-hitachi.com.tw/