"For tomorrow's title push, I'll need to be a bit more strategic," reasoned the 23-year-old Beijing native who has twice finished equal runner-up this season. "Competing for the title doesn't really put too much pressure on me. It's more like setting a goal for myself. It gives me clearer direction in my training."

The 16-year-old Xu knows all about winning as the Zhuhai teenager has won three times on Tour this year, twice as an amateur and once as a professional. Starting on the back nine, her round included an eagle three at the 509-yard 11th hole, her second hole, three birdies and back-to-back bogeys.

"I've been adjusting my swing recently and haven't fully adapted to it yet. My driver is still a bit inconsistent, so this tournament is also part of my process of getting used to the new movement," said the rookie pro, 215th on the Rolex World Rankings.

"Contending for the title doesn't really put too much pressure on me. What's most important is doing my best on the course. I'm now adapting quickly to the new swing and that's what I value most right now. I predict the winning score might be around seven-under. The most important thing is putting because the greens are indeed quite difficult and really test a player's patience."

Liu is another who knows about winning as the Beijing native also has three CLPG Tour titles, the last coming in 2021. Her round included six birdies, five of which came on the front nine, a bogey and a double bogey.

"Overall my performance this round was definitely solid. For me, the course length of 6,611 yards is manageable. I had a pretty good feel with my putting," said Liu who sank a 30-footer for birdie at the 381-yard fifth hole.

"The key for me tomorrow, as I push forward, is simply to focus on doing what I need to do and to execute the game plan I've set for myself. I won't overthink it. My approach will definitely be a bit more aggressive."

Oak Forest Golf Club is a 6,611-yard, par-72 layout designed by CJ Tan.