Liang moves into contention in Qatar

His mentor became famous by defeating a South African star. China's Liang Wen-chong could well take the same route after charging into contention at the star-studded Commercialbank Qatar Masters on Friday.

Liang fired a superb five-under-par 67 in the second round at Doha Golf Club to move into a share of fourth place, three shots behind co-leaders Retief Goosen of South Africa and Australian Richard Green in the US$2.2 million event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

Goosen, the overnight pacesetter, carded a 68 for an 11-under-par 133 total and was matched by left-hander Green, who fired a brilliant and bogey-free 65. Another Australian Nick O'Hern was third following a 69.

The prospect of taking on some of the world's best players for his first major title is an mouth-watering prospect for Liang, who has taken over from his good friend Zhang Lian-wei the mantle as China's leading player.

"I'm always thinking about getting my first win in Asia, this could be a good week to do so but I have to take it one step at a time," said Liang, who rolled in five birdies against no bogeys.

Zhang, the country's pioneer in professional golf, will often be remembered for slaying Ernie Els for the Singapore Masters title in 2003 and while Els, the 2005 winner here, will enter the weekend some seven shots off the lead, Liang admits that it is Goosen, a two-time US Open champion, who will be the man to beat.

"I've got more experience now at the top level after my two years in Japan as well. So when I look at the leaderboard now, I'm not nervous at all," said the 28-year-old, who has won a clutch of titles on his domestic circuit but not on the Asian Tour.

"I've been keeping the ball on the fairway this week, only missed two fairways today and two yesterday which is the key around here. This is one of the hardest courses that I've played in Asia. It's like a links course, it's windy and cold and the rough is penal. To shoot five birdies and no bogeys was really good," added Liang.

His round included tap-in birdies at the third and eight holes, both par threes, after rifling three irons straight at the flag. Liang had a narrow escape with a par on 12, his approach shot bouncing off a rock and landing in a poor lie before finally chipping in for par.

The Chinese youngster finished in the top-20 of the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit last season and also posted five top-10s on the Japan Tour. Although his progress was hindered with a wrist injury, the season break has been a welcome respite.

"I've not pushed it too hard due to my wrist injury which has become better. I know my golf swing a lot better now and I can manage my game. I'm ready to give it my best shot this weekend."

Thai teenager Chinarat Phadungsil, already a two-time Asian Tour winner, continued to impress in Qatar which boasts a field that includes six of the world's top-20 players and seven members of the victorious European Ryder Cup team.

The 18-year-old put together a round of 68 for sixth place and heads into the weekend just four off the lead. However, the Thai had to shrug off the embarrassment of hitting a "shank" on his second hole of the day on the 11th.

"At the start, I didn’t hit it good at all. On the 11th hole I hit a shank with my four iron. I can't remember when the last time I hit a shank! I think my game was still very cold early in the morning," said a bemused Chinarat.

"But I managed to get a birdie straight back on the 12th hole which was good, hit a nine iron to two feet. That helped get me going again. I'm happy that I shot a good round and hopefully, I will play better this weekend. I'm looking forward to having the chance to play with some of the top players here. I think I will enjoy that and hopefully I can stay inside the top-10," he added.

Chinarat came close to a hole in one at the par three 17th which is offering a luxury yacht as a prize. He struck it to three feet of the flag and said: "Maybe tomorrow I can have a hole in one and win that boat."

Two-time Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee fired a 67 to move to six-under for the tournament.

January 26, 2007