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Casey looking for repeat triumph at Volvo China Open

Ryder Cup star Paul Casey is hoping to drive his way into Volvo China Open folklore by becoming the first player to win the Championship twice.

The Englishman begins his title defence at the US$1.8 million championship jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour and he intends to extend his reign, especially with his 2005 victory being just five months ago.

"It is very nice to be back. It is obviously a different venue and very soon after my victory in Shenzhen but it is wonderful to have the opportunity to defend and we have a great field, a good golf course and tough conditions. It should be fun," said Casey.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson will be amongst the stars tipped to sparkle at the Beijing Honghua International Golf Club as he makes his Volvo China Open debut as the world number 13, the highest ranked player in this week's field.

Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant, who celebrates his 200th appearance in the region this week, Singapore's Mardan Mamat and Korea's Charlie Wi, currently second on the UBS Order of Merit are amongst the top Asians in the field.

Stiff winds have prevailed in Beijing so far this week but Casey, who also won the TCL Classic in China last year, is determined to retain his Volvo China Open crown, which has never been achieved before since the championship was inaugurated in 1995.

"I have played well in China, two victories out of six or seven events. That is a good percentage. I have liked the courses we have played and they have suited my eye. I don't know what it is but whatever it is I'd like to figure it out and transfer it onto any course around the world," said Casey.

China's long-serving stalwart Zhang Lian-wei, meanwhile, has tipped young protégé Liang Wen-chong for greatness. While Zhang, 41, will be hoping to ignite his game and challenge for a second title in his home Open, it would give him equal pleasure if Liang upstages the big guns.

Zhang, a five-time winner on the Asian Tour, has long been the face of China golf with some magnificent victories but the veteran believes the time is ripe for Liang to carry the torch for the nation over the next decade.

"It's nice to see Liang becoming more mature on the golf course. Technically, I think Liang's game is really good. But you must understand that there is only one winner every week," said Zhang, winner of the Volvo China Open in 2003.

"The field is much stronger, especially in co-sanctioned events as more world class players come to Asia these days. The chances of winning even in China will be difficult. But I'm sure Liang will win sooner or later and there will be a lot of wins for him. Mentally, he is also a strong player and he works hard on his game. Time will tell," added Zhang.

Liang, 27, first made a name for himself when he finished fourth in the Volvo China Open in 1999 as an amateur and has since blossomed into a top-class player. In 71 starts on the Asian Tour, Liang has posted 15 top-10s, with the only missing jigsaw being a first major title.

Nothing would give Liang greater pleasure than lifting his national Open "as it is the dream of every Chinese players to win the Volvo China Open." However he is cautious of his chances despite entering the week with a domestic victory achieved last Sunday.

"Even though I played well last week, it doesn't guarantee that I'll play well this week," said Liang. "I think mentally, and especially in the big events, I still need to improve. If you look at Zhang's experience, he's played with Tiger Woods last year and he normally performs well alongside the big names. That is something which I need to improve and learn."

Stenson is hoping to live up to his top billing despite some concerns with his form. "I haven't felt like I've been playing great over the last six or seven weeks," said Stenson, who missed the cut in his maiden appearance at the US Masters last week.

The Dubai-based Swede, currently fifth on the European Tour Order of Merit, has been rated highly by his peers after an outstanding start to the year which included a victory at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters but he conceded that pressure came along with success. "It definitely adds pressure," said Stenson. "I'm just trying to have a good week and get some good out of the game. I hope I can have a chance on Sunday."

The Volvo China Open is returning to Beijing for the first time in eight years and no one is more pleased than Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng. The stocky Thai triumphed in the 1996 edition for what proved to be the first of his five Asian Tour triumphs and he still remembers vividly his outstanding week.

"I was only the first reserve then but managed to get into the main field and won it in the end with a 19-under-par total," said Prayad. "There was no pressure on me and I putted great that week. It was my first major win and it raised my confidence to what it is now.

"My game has grown over the past 10 years where I'm hitting it so much better and straighter. The only thing I wish was the same as 1996 was my putting, which was pretty solid then but has been on and off recently," said Prayad.

April 12, 2006