BEIJING, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Supamas Sangchan took the early lead at the Fila Golf Women's Classic on Thursday as the Thai veteran carded four birdies over the back nine to post an opening-round 68 for a one-stroke lead.

Fellow Thai Siri Patchana was alone in second after shooting a three-under 69 over the Bayhood No. 9 International Golf Club layout at the CLPG Tour event.

Chakansim Khamborn and Nanthikarn Raksachat added to the strong Thai showing in the cool conditions as each shot 70 to sit equal third in a group that included Chinese amateur An Zining, Chinese pros Li Jieni and Xue Zixuan and Huang Ching of Chinese Taipei.

Supamas, who has been winless on the CLPG Tour since 2017 when she captured the Hong Kong Ladies Open for her second title, put herself in contention with a round that included six birdies and two bogeys.

"Today I played pretty good, especially my iron play which allowed me to make many birdies. I also saved many par putts so my putter was good also. On the par-five 17th, I did a lay-up on my approach and then I put my third shot close from 75 feet out for a tap-in birdie. On the par-three last, 135 yards, I shoot a nine-iron five yards from the pin and I can make birdie from there," said the 29-year-old from Sukhothai.

"Yeah, it's been a long time since I have won, but I changed my swing as my driver was really bad before. Now it is better, so that gives me more confidence to play good now."

Siri, a third-year pro who is playing in her first year on the CLPG Tour after losing her card in the U.S. last year on the Epson Tour, was five-under through 12 holes until dropping shots on the 14th and 16th holes in the hunt for her maiden pro win.

"I definitely felt really good about my game today," said the Bangkok native who was equal seventh at the Golf Liquor Challenge in June. "I'm hitting my irons pretty solid, but it's a really challenging course so I really have to be on my toes all the time and just really trying to adjust and be fast with where I want it to go and where I want it to miss. Course management for this course, I think, is really important."

An, the Tianjin teenager who won the China Golf Women's Legacy event in Chengdu in May for her first win against a pro field, had a chance to grab a share of the lead until she shanked her third shot on the 17th hole on the way to a double-bogey seven. She then bounced back for a birdie two at the last.

"Overall, my driving was quite steady today. My putting was solid as well. I had a few miss-hits with my irons, but they were acceptable," said the 16-year-old, 184th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

"The score today was decent, though I missed two putts within three feet. If not for those misses, this round would have been perfect. My mindset remained steady throughout the day and I'm quite satisfied with the outcome." Enditem