CHENGDU, China, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A tight leaderboard highlighted Day 1 action of the inaugural China Golf Women's Legacy on Wednesday as four players shared the opening-round lead in the Sichuan capital.

At the RMB500,000 tournament that features 78 professionals and 26 amateurs playing in a dual individual-and-team format, the Philippines' Mafy Singson, Thailand's Ornnicha Konsunthea, China's Sui Xiang and amateur Zhou Shiyuan each shot seven-under 65 to share a one-stroke lead in the individual flight.

Thailand's Onkanok Soisuwan (66) was a stroke back in the 54-hole stroke play tournament, one shot ahead of a group of 10 players at two strokes back on 67 at Poly Chengdu Golf Club.

Zhou, who won twice on the CLPG Tour last year, started her round on the back nine and took a while to get going, with only one birdie through her first eight holes. After consecutive birdies starting from the 18th hole and her ninth, she picked up another stroke at the fifth and 14th hole, followed by three birdies to close.

"This course is very forgiving. Even if you miss a bit, it's not too punishing. My driving accuracy was high today," said the 15-year-old Chongqing native. "I still missed a few chances. Otherwise, the score could've been even better."

Singson, who turned pro last year, got her campaign off to a strong start with her personal best score in a bogey-free round featuring seven birdies, five of which came on the back nine.

"I had a lot of lucky kicks and bounces, but the putting helped. All my birdie putts were inside 30 feet, so my irons were also good," said the Davao native. "For me, the fairways here don't seem that wide, but the penalty areas are pretty far.  This course is pretty forgiving, but it's not that wide. I like the layout; it fits my eye."

Sui, who plays for the Sichuan provincial team, held steady in the hot conditions with a bogey-free round in the hunt for her third CLPG Tour title.

"Today, I had several approaches inside 10 feet and made a few long birdie putts that were over 15 feet, some even around 20 feet. Those holes stood out to me. The key was staying focused throughout the round, and I think I did that well."

Ornnicha started from the back nine and came out strong with three birdies in her first five holes. She then carded an eagle two when she chipped in from 40 yards out at the 336-yard 17th hole, her eighth hole, followed by a birdie at the next to make the turn at six-under 30. Two more birdies followed on her back nine and the front nine before dropping a shot at the 384-yard ninth hole, her 18th hole.

"I had a good round today. I struck the ball well, so I have a lot of chances to make a good score," she said. "As for tomorrow, I'll just keep playing like I have planned for the course. It worked out well today. Hopefully, I can do the same for tomorrow, just focus on the game."

In the team competition, which consists of 26 squads, each comprising three CLPG Tour players and one junior amateur, amateur Meng Ziyan carded a bogey-free 67 to lead her group, which included pros Napabhach Boon-In (68), He Jiaying (69) and Panitta Yusabai (70), to emerge victorious atop the leaderboard on 20-under 196.

"I've played in the same group with (junior player) Meng Ziyan. Her game is remarkably steady. Winning this team championship is truly special," said He Jiaying, who turned pro last year. "As the junior player in our team, every single one of her strokes counted. She (Meng) delivered the best score among us four with that stellar 67."

One shot behind were two teams on 197, including the group led by Thailand's Dolnapa Zukphokinvanich and another group led by Sui Xiang.