Zhang has home advantage at Midea venue

Chinese legend Zhang Lian-wei is feeling right at home at the Midea China Classic this week after adding his touch to the course early this year.

Zhang, who is making a slow rise on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit this season in 47th place, will be walking on familiar ground having renovated the Nick Faldo 18-hole championship course at the Royal Orchid International Golf Club.

Zhang, with five Asian Tour titles under his belt, will be flanked by an elite field that include compatriot Liang Wen-chong, who currently leads the UBS Order of Merit race, Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei, who is the Brunei Open winner, Scotsman Simon Yates, big-hitting Australian Scott Hend, Malaysia’s Iain Steel, India’s Gaurav Ghei, Lee Sung of Korea and Thai stars Thaworn Wiratchant and Chapchai Nirat.

The 42-year-old Zhang is keeping no secrets about the par-71 course as he believes that steady iron play coupled with solid putting will ensure a low round this week.

“The fairways here are wide and will provide ample room for a good approach shot. With accurate approach shots and steady putting, a low score is easy to come by.

“We have added more bunkers and water hazards. The rough is not too long so the course is easy for long hitters such as Scott (Scott Hend), but the bunkers will be waiting for him,” said Zhang.

After having endured his first miss cut of the season in Brunei two weeks ago, Liang will be inspired to make amends in this week’s US$400,000 Asian Tour event. He had been on a hot streak before Brunei chalking up a win in Singapore and seven other top-10 finishes.

“I took a short break after Brunei to recover from a slight injury incurred but now I’m ready for the challenges.

“I am glad to be coming into this event as the UBS Order of Merit leader but I think it will be really tight with the top players gathered here this week,” said Liang, who has played in 13 events this year.

Scotsman Yates is back in the swing of things after finding the right touch to his game this year. Yates has made a steady rise to fifth position on the UBS Order of Merit thanks to five top-10 finishes this season that included a runner-up spot at the Iskandar Johor Open last month.

“I went for lessons with Simon Hurd’s coach and my swing technique is a lot more smoother now. My lower body is turning at the right speed and I get my left knee moving in the right way. My new swing technique is clearly reflected through my performance in Johor and I haven’t been working on it that much so there is still a lot more I can improve,” said Yates, who is also an avid racing car driver.

In-form Hend, a former US PGA Tour player, will be taking on a cautious approach as the big-hitting Australian comes into the tournament with an injury to his right arm.

“In Johor, I lifted my bag and twisted the muscle on my right arm. It affected my swing and it still hurts this week. It is quite painful as my driving and iron shots put a lot of strain on my arm. I injured my left arm last year and now it is the right. Thankfully it is not as serious but I hope to recover soon and be able to stay in contention this week,” said Hend.

Chinese Taipei’s Lin is tipped to stay among the frontrunners having claimed his second Asian Tour title in Brunei two weeks ago. He will be riding on fond memories at Royal Orchid International Golf Club where he had previously finished runner-up in a domestic event in 2006.

“I am feeling confident and I enjoy playing here. It is close to home and I had a good result last year. Zhang (Zhang Lian-wei) was the only player to better my result last year and I hope to prevent that from happening this week,” said Lin.

September 12, 2007

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