Chinese teenager set for dream debut

Chinese teenager Su Dong intends to enjoy a dream debut at this week's US$1.3 million Volvo China Open by strictly following his mother's advice.

The 15-year-old Su earned a spot in China's national championship through pre-qualifying, which was introduced for the first time this year, and will become the youngest player to tee up at Shenzhen Golf Club on Thursday.

The burly Su, who is a scratch-handicapper, has lived in Vancouver for the past three years with his family but is very Chinese at heart and hopes to one day savour victory at the Volvo China Open like his idol Zhang Lian-wei, the 2003 champion.

But as he prepares to take his place alongside some of the best players from the Asian Tour and European Tour, Su does not want to place high expectations on himself.

"Before coming over, my mum (Ma Jin-pin) told me that I should relax and not place too much pressure on myself. She said that as an amateur golfer, it is already a great success for me to be able to play in the Volvo China Open and that I should learn from the experience," said Su today.

"Mum is like my mental coach. She doesn't play golf but I always listen to her as she's got good advice. Hopefully, I can play well enough to make the halfway cut."

Su shot a 72 in the pre-qualifying in Guangzhou and finished tied fourth, one rung too low for an automatic berth. But because the top two players later earned exemptions into the Volvo China Open through their local ranking, Su got the nod. "I'm so lucky. When I got the call, it was a big surprise. It's so exciting to be here, and to have the opportunity to be at the same press conference with 'Uncle' Zhang now is such an honour."

While another Chinese teenager Hu Mu has been hailed as the future of China golf, Su bears no grudges and was simply delighted to be a part of China's exciting golf boom. "Hu is the best young Chinese golfer, better than I am," admitted Su, who turns 16 on December 22.

His family moved to Canada three years ago and Su, who is now in high school, has enjoyed success in the amateur scene there to suggest that he will be part of China's new breed of golfers. He has won over 20 junior tournaments, including an amazing seven titles in a row at this year's Canadian Junior Golf Association circuit.

The 40-year-old Zhang, meanwhile, is starting to feel the tension of playing at his home club as he bids to end a two-year winless run. However, the man who has carried the flag with such fervour for China in international golf for the past decade hopes to someday pass the baton to the likes of Su.

"Cheng Jun was the first Chinese player to win the Volvo China Open in 1997 and I was lucky to win it in 2003. Hopefully, the third generation of golfers will come through. I am happy to see two amateurs in the field here this week (referring to second amateur Yang Yang who also qualified for this week's event)

"I am at home this week and I will try my hardest to win. I've benefited from playing in Volvo events in the past and won several of them and I hope to do well here," said Zhang, who lives five minutes away from the golf course which he has played on hundreds of times.

While the golf-crazy local supporters will be rooting for a home victory, England's Paul Casey could be man that spoils the party. The talented Casey has a habit of performing well in China, having won here earlier this season on Hainan island and is eyeing victory in Shenzhen.

Two weeks ago, he finished seventh in the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai and is confident of another good showing at the Volvo China Open, which is the second leg of the 2006 European Tour International Schedule and third from last event on the 2005 Asian Tour.

"I like China, this is my fifth event here in 2005 and I seem to have had a fairly good record. I enjoy it a lot," said Casey. "Well obviously, the first time I played, I won. I quite like the courses here and they seem to suit my eye so far which is nice. It is just one of those things."

Part of Casey's determination to finish off his year strongly is to break into the world's top-50, which ensures direct entry into the four majors. The world number 61 said: "I know I need to play well this next three weeks to get into the top-50 so it is simple as that. Obviously, a win here would be a good start."

Casey realises the Asian contingent will be keen to sparkle on their home turf. Other top Asian Tour names who are tipped to contend include in-form Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant, who won a record fourth title this season in Vietnam last week, Thongchai Jaidee and India's Jyoti Randhawa, who is fresh from a ninth place finish at the weather-shortened WGC Algarve World Cup last weekend.

"Obviously Zhang is a fantastic golfer. I played with him in the final round in Shanghai (two weeks ago) and he hits the ball just beautifully and is a great role model. I played with Chawalit Plaphol at the TCL Classic and he played some fantastic golf in that event too. Asia have a few fantastic players and it is all about being in events to improve their confidence and show their talents," said Casey.

Stephen Dodd, who won the World Cup with Bradley Dredge on Sunday for Wales, is back to defend his Volvo China Open crown.

November 22, 2005

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