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Zhang aims to challenge at Volkswagen Masters-China

China's Zhang Lian-wei intends to pull the brakes on title holder Retief Goosen and 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell when the Major champions start as favourites at next week's Volkswagen Masters-China.

Zhang, one of Asia's legends, will spearhead the local charge in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event at Yalong Bay Golf Club in Sanya, Hainan Island where he hopes to improve on last year's third place finish in Beijing.

Ultimately though, Zhang knows he must quickly regain his putting touch at the Volkswagen Masters-China if he is to launch a title charge, saying his inability to convert putts has stopped him from producing better results of late.

"I am very happy that the Volkswagen Masters-China is celebrating its third edition as the event is good for golf in China. I've played in the first two events and they always have a strong field.

"I think it’s a great idea to move the event to Sanya as it is a beautiful island with nice weather. Yalong Bay is a good course and I have always enjoyed playing there," said Zhang.

Last year, Zhang finished behind two-time Major winner Goosen and Campbell. While he hopes to repeat that performance to make a move up the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, the Chinese veteran said he is not under any pressure to perform.

"I have been hitting the ball okay but I have been struggling with my putting and I am working on that at the moment," said the 41-year-old, whose last triumph in the region was in 2003.

"It (retaining his card) is on my mind, but where I will be next year should not affect my passion for playing golf. It’s nice to be at the top, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t play golf if you are not at the top. So I will not worry about it, and will keep concentrating on my game."

Goosen, the world's number seven, drove off with a stylish six-shot victory and the elegant South African will be the man to beat again, said Zhang.

"Definitely," replied the Chinese ace when asked if the presence of the two Major champions would mean Asians will have to raise their game.

"But I think Asian and Chinese players have already raised their standards and there are lots of talented young players on the Asian Tour. I think that we are improving all the time," added Zhang, who is China's first winner of a co-sanctioned event with Europe and the first to play at the US Masters.

A strong line-up of Asian Tour stars will head to the Volkswagen Masters-China with 10 of this season's Tour champions heading to Yalong Bay.

Amongst those tipped to contend include teenage Thai wonder Chinarat Phadungsil, who was triumphant at Yalong Bay in August when he won the Crowne Plaza Open title in a play-off.

Other winners who will tee up next week include Australians Scott Strange and Kane Webber, Singaporean number one Mardan Mamat, Korea's Suk Jong-yul, England's Chris Rodgers and Thailand's Prom Meesawat, who is presently ranked second on the UBS Order of Merit.

Welshman Phillip Price, a former European Ryder Cup stalwart, will also join the elite field at the Volkswagen Masters-China.


October 5, 2006