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 2007 HSBC Champions home page HSBC Champions to feature 9 of world top 20 Liang widens OoM lead as Park gets into gear Liang becomes first Chinese tour millionaire An interview with Chinese no. 1 Liang Wen-chong Zhang planning development tour in China 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 looks forward to HSBC Mickelson pairing

Chinese star Liang Wen-chong is relishing a mouth-watering showdown against world number two Phil Mickelson at the HSBC Champions which tees off on Thursday.

Liang, 29, has been drawn to play alongside the American superstar and England’s Paul Casey in the opening round and he is hoping to silence the big guns at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

The Zhongshan-born player said he was determined to sparkle in the US$5 million event after a lackluster week in Singapore at the weekend.

The other top Asian Tour stars who will compete in the HSBC Champions include Liang’s compatriot Zhang Lian-wei, India’s Jyoti Randhawa, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and Filipino veteran Frankie Minoza.

“It will be a great opportunity for me to play alongside Phil Mickelson and I hope to impress as a local player here this week,” said Liang. “Driving and putting will crucial on this golf course. This week will also be a learning experience for me.

“I realise that there is a huge fan base here eager for me to play well but I really want to see more golfers develop in China. We can focus at improving the standard of the game as a whole instead of drawing all the attention on one or two players,” added the Chinese star.

Compatriot Zhang will be making his third appearance in the HSBC Champions and hopes to deliver his best result at the challenging par-72 championship course. “I will aim for a win, of course, just like everyone else in the field. I was 25th in 2005 but I didn’t do well last year, so I will be aiming to do better.

“I have spent the past one year in preparation for this event. But every player has their own mental and physical challenges this week, and as a professional golfer, we need to deal with various challenges. I am in good shape too so I hope for a solid run,” said Zhang.

The HSBC Champions will include 10 of the world’s top-20 golfers including the likes of Fijian ace Vijay Singh, Spain’s Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington of Ireland, South Africa’s Ernie Els and Retief Goosen and Argentinean Angel Cabrera, the US Open champion.

November 7, 2007