Youth shows the way in first half of season

Asia's young guns, led by Chinese star Liang Wen-chong, have shown their talent can go as far as their driving abilities after a sparkling first half of the Asian Tour season.

Liang is amongst a gifted group of six first-time winners in their 20s to emerge, joining the likes of Malaysia's Airil Rizman, big-hitting Thai Chapchai Nirat and Korean trio Lee Sung, Kim Kyung-tae and Bae Sang-moon in tasting a first victory in Asia.

Such has been Liang's scintillating form that he is leading the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit after notching six other-top-10s and he has set his sights on becoming the first Chinese to claim the region's number one mantle.

"I will play more on the Asian Tour this season, possibly nine more events, and aim to finish the year as number one. I think it'll be quite special if I can achieve it as no Chinese player has done it before," said Liang, who will restrict his stints in Europe and Japan where he also holds playing rights.

Liang's statistics to date is as impressive as the Asian Tour's scorecard from its opening 16 events out of a 29 tournaments scheduled for this season. He played his way into the history books by becoming the first Chinese to surpass US$1 million in career winnings, edging mentor and close friend Zhang Lian-wei to the accolade.

He also showed he had a heart of gold by donating all his winnings from the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters for the development of golf in China. A late bloomer, the tenacious Liang ranks first in Stroke Average (70.30), is the lowest under par at 66-under, which is 45 shots better than second-ranked Scott Strange, and has fired the most birdies to date with 184.

While the youth brigade has made a forceful move on the Asian Tour, which the Tour's Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han believes is a healthy sign, a couple of veterans into their 40s have also produced vintage performances to hog the limelight.

Evergreen Filipino Frankie Minoza, a multiple winner in Japan, enjoyed a popular home triumph at the Philippine Open, months after undergoing laser eye surgery and watching old videos of his previous wins, while Chinese Taipei's Lu Wen-teh secured a career third win at the Macau Open after a thrilling play-off triumph over Richard Moir of Australia.

Han was delighted with the front half of the year. "It's been an exciting first six months. I am convinced that the addition of seven first-time winners is a clear reflection that the playing standard is on the rise in Asia," said Han, himself a former Asian number one.

"I have been very impressed with how Liang has dominated the season as he is leading the race for the prestigious UBS Order of Merit crown. He has the talent and determination to excel and I'm delighted to see that he's been one of our success stories so far."

Another endearing story to emerge was Lee's win at the Bangkok Airways Open last week. Born deaf, Lee battled against all odds to prevail in a game that so often relies on sound and feel.

"We're certainly proud of Lee's achievements and I hope he will inspire other young golfers to rise to the challenge and excel in this game," said Han.

Chapchai, nicknamed "King Kong" by his compatriots due to his long drives, equalled the 18-hole record of 11-under-par 61 en route to a wire-to-wire triumph in the TCL Classic in China, becoming the third Thai to win a co-sanctioned event with Europe.

It completed a journey of discovery for the 24-year-old, who turned professional at a tender age of 15. Through his formative golfing years, he remembered his father's worldly advice. "He said fear comes from within as we create it for ourselves. That's why I don't fear anything," said Chapchai.

South African Anton Haig, 21, pulled off a stunning play-off victory for the Asian Tour brigade at the Johnnie Walker Classic which saw him lead the UBS Order of Merit for several months until he was overtaken by Liang.

Two new events, the Motorola International Bintan and Pine Valley Beijing Open, made successful debuts, with American Jason Knutzon and Indian stalwart Gaurav Ghei walking off with sparkling new trophies. Five more events will make their debuts in the second half of the year in what will be a record season offering over US$28 million in prize money.

India's Ghei was amongst those who enjoyed a strong first half of the year with a stylish win at the inaugural Pine Valley Beijing Open, and proving that hard work does reap its rewards. After an injury-blighted career, Ghei knuckled down on his game and has blossomed over the past year where he was also triumphant in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters last September.

Asia's future certainly looks very bright indeed with the emergence of Korean duo Kim and Bae, both 20. With youthful exuberance and age clearly on their side, both players, who won the GS Caltex Maekyung Open and SK Telecom Open respectively on home soil, are tipped to follow in the footsteps of Korea's most famous golfing son, Choi Kyung-ju, who is a five-time winner on the US PGA Tour.