Liang can win internationally, says Asian Tour chief

Asian Tour chief Kyi Hla Han believes Liang Wen-chong can achieve success on the international front, saying the sky is the limit for the new Chinese star.

Han, the Asian Tour's Executive Chairman, was amongst those who lauded Liang's winning breakthrough at the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters last weekend and believes the 28-year-old can surpass the achievements of Zhang Lian-wei, China's flagbearer for more than a decade.

Liang is competing in this week's TCL Classic, jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour, at Yalong Bay Golf Club in Sanya, China.

“Over the past decade or so, Zhang has certainly paved the way for Chinese golf to emerge onto the scene with his wonderful achievements and multiple wins across Asia. His contributions towards golf in China and Asia have been immense," said Han.

"However, I feel that Liang has even greater potential to take his career onto greater heights, and win titles internationally and surpass Zhang’s achievements. Liang's success in Singapore was timely and now that he’s tasted his first major victory, the sky is the limit for him."

Liang kept his cool against Malaysia’s Iain Steel to emerge as only the second Chinese player to win a co-sanctioned event, emulating Zhang's feat in the same tournament in 2003.

While Zhang set the trail for Chinese golf to develop with his magnificent exploits where he won five times across the region, and featured as well in the US Masters in 2004, Han believes that Liang can achieve greater things.

“Liang has stated previously that he wants to play on the US PGA Tour and I believe he has the game, steely resolve and determination to achieve this goal, and establish himself in America. I feel confident that he can improve further and win on US or European soil," said Han.

"Liang has age on his side and at 28, he has at least another 10 good years of golf to improve and become a better player."

Han, Asia's number one in 1999, has been following Liang's progress closely since the day the Chinese youngster arrived on the big stage by finishing fourth as an amateur in the Volvo China Open in 1999, a tournament which Han won.

“When I won the Volvo China Open, Liang did really well and I’ve been monitoring his progress over the years. I’m pleased to see him come through in a big way and like how Zhang had inspired golf to grow in China, I believe that Liang will serve as an inspiration to other Chinese players.

“Liang has shown great generosity as well in pledging to donate all his winnings from Singapore for the development of golf in China and hopefully, Chinese golf will benefit from his gesture and start delivering more international-class golfers in the mould of Zhang and Liang,” added Han.

March 14, 2007

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