Chinese player leads Futures Tour event
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-05-02 15:41

Hong Mei Yang became the first Chinese player to lead a Futures Tour event Saturday, shooting a 5-under 67 to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the IOS Classic.

Hong Mei, playing her first Futures Tour event after winning twice in March on the West Coast Ladies Golf Tour, had a 7-under 137 total on the Underwood Golf Complex's Sunrise Course.

"I have prepared for this," the 28-year-old Hong Mei said through California-based instructor James Chen. "My goal has been to come to the United States to play tournaments. I like the challenge. This is my first big tournament."

The Futures Tour is the top women's developmental tour in the world, with an 18-event schedule and more than $1.2 million in prize money. The top five on the money list at the end of the season will earn 2005 LPGA Tour cards.