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Liang aiming for home glory at Volvo China Open

Liang Wen-chong will be driving for home glory next week when he leads the local charge alongside the legendary Zhang Liang-wei at the US$1.8 million Volvo China Open.

Liang, 27, has been dreaming of winning his home Open since bursting onto the scene as a teenager and he hopes to turn it into reality at the Beijing Honghua Golf Club from April 13-16.

"My goal is to play well and hopefully win the Championship next week as winning the national title is a great honour for me as a Chinese player," said Liang. "I believe every Chinese player will share the same dream, and I wish it will be my turn very soon to make this dream come true,” he added.

The tenacious Liang has been on the fast-track to stardom since making waves in 1999 when he finished fourth in the Volvo China Open as an amateur. He now plies his trade on the Asian Tour and in Japan with considerable success but is still yearning for a maiden major title.

Nothing would give him greater pleasure than lifting the Volvo China Open crown. Last month, he showed glimpses of his readiness to step onto the winner's podium when he led after first round of the TCL Classic on Hainan island before finishing in the middle of the field.

Liang wasn't discouraged. “I think everybody knows that golf is a unique game, even golf legends may encounter times when they are not playing so well. To me, the first round in Hainan was amazing, and it proved my own potential. It’s like reinforcing my strength, and enabling me to play my best,” said Liang, who is the highest ranked Chinese player in the world at number 231st.

“It feels great to be playing in China, as there is great support from fans and fellow golfers. I find it enjoyable, and it always feels good to have more players representing China. It is difficult to say what it will take for a player to win, but I think the most important is to have confidence in oneself,” said Liang.

Zhang, who enjoyed a memorable victory in the Volvo China Open in 2003, is hoping to play his way into contention once again after coming close to a second victory last year before finishing tied seventh in Shenzhen.

“I have learnt from that experience and will be determined to hold my game right through the end,” said Zhang, 40.

“The Volvo China Open is a national event which offers an opportunity for Chinese players to shine. It is an honour for Chinese players to participate in their own national Open which has history and heritage.”

Zhang, a five-time winner on the Asian Tour, also paid tribute to Volvo's contribution towards the growth of golf in China. "Since 1995, Volvo has been devoted to golf in China and has shown their support by being the first corporation to sponsor China's national Open. Since then, it has grown this event into an international level where the prize money has also increase.

"Being the first company to support professional golf in China, Volvo has showcased golf and has clearly contributed towards the game here," said Zhang.

Asia's challenge in the co-sanctioned event with the European Tour will also see 11 of the victorious Asian team members at the Visa Dynasty Cup gathering at Honghua. With the exception of India's Jyoti Randhawa, the players who were in the team that beat Japan will compete in the Volvo China Open and they are Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, Thongchai Jaidee, Prayad Marksaeng, Thammanoon Srirot and Boonchu Ruangkit, Singapore's Mardan Mamat, Korea's Mo Joong-kyung, Filipino Angelo Que, India's Amandeep Johl, Liang and Zhang.

April 8, 2006