Liang looking for second title in Brunei

China’s Liang Wen-chong will be gunning for victory when he makes his debut at the Brunei Open from August 30 to September 2.

A second title of the year will certainly enhance his hopes on lifting the prestigious Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit crown which he currently leads with US$438,252. So far this year, Liang tasted a maiden victory at the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters in March and enjoyed six other top-10s.

The tenacious Chinese star will face a strong challenge at the prestigious Empire Hotel and Country Club where he will face defending champion Wang Ter-chang of Chinese Taipei, inaugural winner Terry Pilkadaris of Australia and a slew of other top Asian Tour stars.

Liang has already taken over the mantle from his close friend Zhang Lian-wei as Chinese leading player but he said that his dream now was to become China’s first UBS Order of Merit champion.

“I will play more on the Asian Tour this season 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. I'll give it a go.

“There are still a few big events coming up this year, so anything can happen but if I keep up what I’m doing and keep staying among the frontrunners, then I have a good chance of staying on top,” said Liang.

Liang started his season on a good note when he charged to a top-10 finish at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters and then rose up the ranks with a third place result in the Philippine Open.

Riding on good form, he subsequently ended his title drought by defeating Malaysia’s Ian Steel in an exciting play-off in Singapore and has since grown from strength to strength to lead the UBS Order of Merit.

A runner-up finish at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in Korea in May made him the first Chinese player to surpass US$1 million in career earnings but Liang has shown that he has a great heart when he donated all his winnings from Singapore to the tune of US$183,000 to be used for the development of golf in China.

The other Asian Tour stalwarts battling for the top prize in Brunei include former Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, compatriot Chinarat Phadungsil, third-ranked Australian Scott Hend and the talented youngsters of Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines and India’s Rahil Gangjee.

Korea’s Lee Sung, who enjoyed a dream victory at the Bangkok Airways Open in June, will also be making his way to the Sultanate kingdom.

August 17, 2007

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