Singapore women dominate qualifying

Singapore women dominate qualifying

2nd December, Taipei: Singapore women continued to dominate the qualifying rounds of the 11th Chinese Taipei International Open as Bernice Lim led her team-mates, Gina Lim and Tan Yan Ling to occupy the top 3 positions. Bernice Lim, who was crowned national women champion at the 41st Singapore National Championship last week, remained the in the lead after a stunning 988 posted over her four-game qualifying round yesterdey.

Gina Lim, who was fourth overnight on 853, improved her score to 879 to move up to second behind Bernice. Tan Yan Ling, who trailed Bernice yesterday, slipped down to third with 872 to complete Singapore's domination in the women's overseas pool.

2009 National champion, Fok Ka Wai finished seventh with 822 while Teo Li Ying managed tenth with 802 and will need to improve in order to assure herself a spot in the finals on December 4.

Tang Ya-Chun overtook compatriot, Chen Hsiu-Lan for the top spot in the local pool with a superb 912 effort. Chen settled for second with 858 while Pan Yu-Fen finished third with 856.   In the men's division, Justin Lim Chia Loong sits comfortably third in the overseas pool with 917. Ng Chiew Pang, who was fifth overnight, slipped down to seventh on 865. Justin Lim Chun Liang improved two notches to tenth with 846.

2009 Singapore Open Youth champion, Rickle Kam remained in the lead in the overseas pool with 944 ahead of ex-international Eric Lau in second with 929 followed by Chia Loong in third.

The Cheng siblings, Hsing-Chao and Hsing-Yueh continued to occupy the top two spots in the local pool with 971 and 918 respectively. Chen Hung-Chih took third spot with 910.

Two Singapore youths, Jonathan Ng Yew Wen and Anthony Low Ying Sheng finished sixth and tenth with 887 and 860 in the Youth's division. Malaysia's Tan Chien Nan and Khoo Beng Khai took the top 2 spots with 993 and 961.   Qualifying ends today and the Ladies' and Men's Open Masters finals will contested over two blocks of 8 games on December 4 and 5. The top 6 ladies and top 6 men will advance to the stepladder finals.

Detailed scores: Ladies' Open Qualifying | Men's Open Qualifying. Photos by Terence Yaw.