Blue team dominant at Sina Cup

By Xinhua News Agency On Jul 28, 2021

With the Ryder Cup- style event being held at Beijing Shadow Creek Golf Club for a second year, the defending champion Red Team got off to a strong start in taking a 2.5 point to 1.5 point lead in the four fourball matches in the morning session. Hak Shun Yat and amateur Lu Yuwen beat Sui Xiang and amateur Wu Showai 2 UP, while Luo Xuewen and amateur Zhang Yue got by Wang…

BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua)– A dominant performance in the afternoon proved the difference for the Blue Team at the Sina Cup on Wednesday as it won all four of the foursomes matches to take a commanding 5.5 point to 2.5 point lead over the Red Team in opening day play.

At the two-day event, the Red Team features six professionals from the China LPGA Tour paired with six of the country’s top male amateurs. The Blue Team is comprised of six male professionals from the China Tour playing with six female amateurs

As the rain started to fall during the lunch break, the Blue Team took advantage of the soft conditions in the foursomes. Hak Shun Yat and amateur Lu Yuwen beat Sui Xiang and amateur Wu Showai 2UP, while Luo Xuewen and amateur Zhang Yue got by Wang Xinying and amateur Ding Wenyi 2&1.

Chen Guxin and amateur Zeng Liqi made five consecutive birdies over the opening five holes to blow out the pairing of Zhang Jianalin and amateur Peng Bo 6&4, and Liu Yanwei and Ye Lei beat Liu Wenbo and amateur Chen Peicheng 2&1.

Captain Cheng Jun said his Blue Team’s performance in the afternoon was unexpected as his strong pairings won as expected but there were also some surprises.

“When we put Luo Xuewen and Zhang Yue against Ding Wenyi and Wang Xing Ying we thought it might be a 50-50 possibility to win. But they were really great. They rallied from two holes behind and won one of the toughest matches,” he said.

“Those players are young and of the same age. They understood each other and encouraged their partners, which might be the chemistry.”

The Red Team got off to a strong defense of their title in the morning fourballs. CLPGA Tour regular Wang Xinying and amateur partner Ding Wenyi showed no mercy towards Hak Shun Yat and amateur Cao Yijing in thrashing the Blue Team duo 5&4. Liu Yiyi and amateur Zhou Ziqin got the other full point for the Reds in beating Ye Wocheng and amateur Ye Lei 2&1.

Zhang Huilin and amateur sensation Yin Xiaowen got a full point for the Blues in getting by Liu Wenbo and amateur Tong Yang 1UP. CLPGA Tour veteran Du Mohan and amateur partner Chen Peicheng halved their match with Chen Guxin and amateur Zeng Liqi.

Red Team captain Ye Liying said the Blues, who lost 17-7 last year, were now a lot better and today’s blowout was something that sometimes happened in team golf.

“Our team played to their standard, however, they played better than expected. Chen Guxin and Zeng Liqi had a matchless seven-under for 14 holes, which you couldn’t do anything against that,” she said.

“Now our goal is to reach 10 points [in tomorrow’s singles matches], which will enable us to keep the trophy. We respect the players’ opinions and gave them the rivals who they want. We won’t know the result until tomorrow, but I think all players will do their level best because it’s what they want.”

Cheng said Thursday’s 12 singles matches would be tight and anything could happen.

“If we can win half of them we would grasp the trophy from them. But it’s too early to predict. Everyone is really good.”

Day twos singles matches feature:

BLUE TEAM RED TEAM

ZHANG Yue (A) versus LIU Wenbo

CAO Yijing (A) versus ZHANG Jienalin

LUO Xuewen versus ZHOU Ziqin (A)

LIU Yanwei versus CHEN Peicheng (A)

ZENG Liqi (A) versus WANG Xinying

YE Lei (A) versus LIU Yiyi

YE Wocheng versus TONG Yang (A)

ZHANG Huilin versus DING Wenyi (A)

YIN Xiaowen (A) versus SUI Xiang

LU Yuwen (A) versus DU Mohan

CHEN Guxin versus WU ShoWai (A)

HAK Shun Yat versus PENG Bo (A)

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