Syndicated Thumbnail Navigation player featuring a selection of clips taken from Golf Bug TV. For use on the Golf Today website. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1175881076http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=495713462 RELATED STORIES UBS Asian Tour Order of Merit after the Midea China Classic Liang extends Order of Merit lead Jeev is tipping Liang for Order of Merit Liang invited to play first Major at US PGA Liang on top of key Tour stats Liang makes Asia No. 1 spot his top priority Liang becomes first Chinese tour millionaire Liang can win internationally, says Asian Tour chief 2007 Singapore Masters: Liang wins in playoff 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 targets historic Hong Kong win

In-form Liang Wen-chong is targeting victory in November's UBS Hong Kong Open as the perfect way to mark the 10th anniversary of the former British colony's return to Chinese rule.

No golfer from mainland China has ever won the storied event and the country's current No.1 acknowledges he has the chance to write his name in the history books.

"I know there have been celebrations all year in Hong Kong to mark the 10th anniversary of the handover," he told reporters at the Hong Kong Golf Club today.

"It would be a dream come true for me to become the first mainland Chinese to win the UBS Hong Kong Open and to do it in such an important year would be extra special.

"It would also be a huge inspiration to all the up-and-coming professionals in China."

Liang, 29, is enjoying the best season of his career. He captured his first title on the Asian and European Tours, the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters, in March and has seven other top 10 finishes this year.

He currently leads the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit with earnings of US$454,734.

"It has been a fantastic year and obviously winning the Singapore Masters has been a major highlight," he said. "To achieve my first Asian and European Tour victory was a great moment for me.

"It will be tough in Hong Kong because there will be some world class players taking part, but I will be doing my best and my victory in Singapore has given me a lot of confidence."

The US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open will be staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from November 15-18.

"All the players regard the UBS Hong Kong Open as one of the best and most important events on tour," added Liang. "It has a long history and some legendary players have won at Fanling.

"UBS have done a fantastic job with the title sponsorship in recent years - the prize money has increased significantly and the facilities for players and spectators have improved. It is a tournament we all look forward to very much."

The Hong Kong Open was first staged in 1959 - making it the territory's oldest professional sporting event - and has been held every year at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

The 2007 tournament will mark the third year of UBS's four-year title sponsorship agreement and will once again have coveted "M" mark status from the HKSAR government - meaning it will receive official support as a sports event that has international significance and brings economic, social and cultural benefits to Hong Kong.

The tournament is jointly sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours and more star players will be announced in the coming weeks.

European players have won the past eight editions of the Hong Kong Open, with Spain's José Manuel Lara triumphing last year. Korea's Kang Wook-soon was the last Asian player to lift the trophy, in 1998.

September 21, 2007