Friday 9 October 2015 12:51, UK
Jing Yan propelled herself to the top of the leaderboard alongside Gwladys Nocera with a seven-under-par 65 at the Xiamen International Ladies Open in China.
Yan, 19, carded eight birdies and one bogey in her bid for a maiden title at the halfway stage of the tournament.
"I started to play this golf course at age of 12 and had played six times so far," said Yan.
"I am glad to come back here and put myself in a familiar kind of atmosphere."
But the rookie couldn't shake off overnight leader Nocera, who made four gains in a bogey-free round on Friday.
"I hit the ball better today than yesterday. I didn't get the speed at the end. I think the greens are growing with the heat and I couldn't get the right speed," said Nocera.
"I had one ball hanging on the hole and I can't believe it wasn't in the hole. It was a good finish on 18 with a birdie which puts me back in a share of the lead for the weekend.
"If I keep on improving my game I will have a lot of chances so I'll stay focused on what I have to do as I want that winning feeling again."
The pair hold a two-stroke advantage over Kusuma Meechai, while England's Liz Young and Hannah Burke are well positioned on six-under par.
Caroline Hedwall staged a second-round recovery with a battling 69, having scored 75 on the opening day.
Defending champion Ssu-Chia Cheng lies just inside the cut on one-under par after rounds of 72 and 73.
