RELATED STORIES Liang moving up in the world ranking Liang shows backing for China Tour Liang misses cut by one point at Invitational Liang enjoys US Invitational debut Liang leaves Zhuhai legacy in his absence Liang ready to win in Singapore ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Open: Choi takes lead with two closing birdies Open: Liang makes first major cut with fighting 71 Open: Lam makes cut and Singapore golf history Open: Late bogies mean early exit for Prayad IGF forms Olympic Committee with eye to 2016 Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES R 3: Norman takes a two shot lead R 3: Duval stumbles to an 83 R 3: Injury bonus for Harrington R 3: Wakefield boosts local hopes R 3: KJ Choi remains in contention R 3: Garcia disappointed with a 74

Liang seeks winning edge at Volvo Masters

Liang Wen-chong, China's rising son, feels he may have found the secret that could lead him to victory at the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia next month – by not thinking about winning.

The 28-year-old is enjoying the best season of his career with rewarding campaigns on the Asian and Japan Tours but a first major international victory has so far eluded the talented Chinese.

Liang will have one last crack at the US$650,000 Volvo Masters of Asia, the Asian Tour's season-finale from December 14-17, and he knows success at the Thai Country Club could mean a happy ending to a glorious 2006 campaign.

"The course in Bangkok suits my game. It's always in good condition and I can play well on it," said Liang. "I've had my best ever year as a professional this season and I'm really happy with how I've progressed. I think it's been because I've scheduled my tournaments and travel a lot better this season as I'm playing on two Tours. I believe I have improved on various aspects of my game."

Liang's best finish on the Asian Tour this season is a tied fourth outing in the lucrative Barclays Singapore Open in September and he has also been highly successful in Japan, finishing in the top-10 on five occasions.

The Zhongshan-based golfer, currently 17th on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, has also won twice on the Omega China Tour this season but Liang knows that his reputation on the international stage will be measured strictly by his success across the region.

While there is a strong desire for him to join the winner's enclosure and follow in the footsteps of his mentor Zhang Lian-wei, a five-time winner in Asia, he knows that he cannot be thinking too much about landing a big one.

"I don't think you can ever think about winning when you enter an event," said Liang. "You can't think too far ahead. Just take it one step at a time."

Since bursting onto the scene when he finished fourth at the 1999 Volvo China Open as an amateur, Liang's stature has grown considerably in stature and he is now the top-ranked Chinese player.

Zhang has long been Liang's mentor from the start of his career but the latter is now tapping into the knowledge banks of Asia's top players, Lin Keng-chi of Chinese Taipei and Filipino veteran Frankie Minoza, who play alongside him on the Japan circuit.

"Lin and Frankie have been very good to me in Japan. I play practice rounds with them regularly and we talk not just about golf but about life as well. Sometimes, I have to remember that it's not all about hitting a golf ball," said Liang.

"They've helped me settle down in Japan and I appreciate their help."

He will arrive at the Volvo Masters of Asia on the back of a three week break which is timely as Liang has been carrying a wrist injury for some time now. Last year, he finished tied 27th in Bangkok, and while he is not thinking about winning, the Chinese golfer is strongly tipped to improve by 26 rungs.

November 29, 2006