Liang surges into second on Order of Merit

After a career breakthrough triumph in Singapore which launched Liang into second place on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, he announced he was donating the winner's cheque of US$183,330 to help develop golf in China.

Liang became only the second Chinese player to triumph in a co-sanctioned Asian Tour and European Tour tournament at the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters, emulating his mentor Zhang Lian-wei, who won the same event in 2003.

The 28-year-old swelled his season's winnings to US$273,747 and lies second behind UBS Order of Merit leader, Anton Haig of South Africa, who has accumulated US$426,035. Just a week ago the title seemed to be in Haig’s hands after his lucrative win in the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand, although Liang’s brave victory has suddenly reignited the race for Asia’s number one title.

Malaysia's Iain Steel, beaten by Liang in a play-off at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club, found consolation with a US$122,220 cheque lifting him to third on the UBS Order of Merit on US$176,356.

No Chinese player has won the prestigious UBS Order of Merit crown and while it is still early days yet, Liang's superb victory has certainly raised hopes that the feat is within striking reach.

"It is a good start to be in a strong position on the UBS Order of Merit and hopefully I can remain in a good position as the season continues," said Liang, who registered 18 top-10s prior to his long-awaited maiden Asian Tour victory.

He showed great courage to force a play-off with Steel, who had set the clubhouse mark at 11-under. The Chinese ace needed to pull off a gutsy par save on the par four 18th, chipping exquisitely from out of thick rough and then draining a four-foot, knee-trembler for his four. In extra time, Steel pulled his tee shot into water to hand Liang victory.

In the press conference, Liang stunned the media with his announcement. "I am donating all my winnings to be used as a start-up fund for the development of the sport in China," said Liang, who had last year donated his winnings, albeit a smaller sum, from a domestic Tour victory for the same purpose.

"I hope the winnings from this time - as it’s much more - will encourage our society to give us more support. I hope more youngsters will pick up the sport."

Liang's generosity is stemmed by the fact that he benefited greatly when he was handpicked in school to play golf as 15-year-old kid. He honed his game at the Zhongshan Hot Spring Golf Club, China's first modern-day golf course built in the mid-1980s, and developed into a fine amateur, winning China's Amateur Open for three straight years.

After an eye-catching fourth-place finish in the Volvo China Open in 1999, Liang took the plunge into the play-for-pay ranks and has been threatening to win in recent years.

"Zhang was an influence, not just for me but for a lot of people. But I’m most grateful to Zhongsan Hot Spring Golf Club. I never knew what golf was about until I was picked to learn the game. Zhongsan is like my mother, they looked after me and helped me. They paid for me to play in tournaments and it was through them that I am who I am today.

"And just like how the club has helped my career, I want to do the same for the development of golf in China," he said.

While Zhang, a five-time Asian Tour winner, has always and is still his role model, Liang hopes his timely success will also inspire the next generation of upcoming golfers from the mainland to leave their shores and test their games in Asia and perhaps challenge for the UBS Order of Merit crown in the years to come.

Liang will have plenty to think about as well in regards to his career path as he has an exemption to play in Europe until 2009. A week earlier, he was contemplating an attempt at the US PGA Tour Qualifying School while he also has playing rights in Japan.

"I will treasure the opportunity (to play in Europe) but I am still undecided and will have to iron my schedule out. I will take it one step at a time and see how it goes," he said.

The Asian Tour moves to China for the first time this season for the US$1 million TCL Classic at Yalong Bay Golf Club in Sanya, Hainan island this week. The event is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

UBS ORDER OF MERIT – TOP-20

Pos. Player Winnings (US$)

1. Anton HAIG (RSA) 426,035

2. LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 273,747

3. Iain STEEL (MAS) 176,356

4. Simon DYSON (ENG) 176,240

5. Frankie MINOZA (PHI) 150,442

6. Shiv KAPUR (IND) 104,504

7. Gaurav GHEI (IND) 87,044

8. Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 86,624

9. SUK Jong-yul (KOR) 84,830

10. Simon HURD (ENG) 76,603