Chinese star Liang Wen-chong has confirmed he will play in the inaugural Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational as he prepares to launch the final push towards his goal of becoming Asia’s new number one.

The talented Liang, who has delivered one of this season’s top stories where he is leading the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, is amongst a wonderful line-up of stars who will head to the Damai Indah Golf, Bumi Serpong Damai Course from October 25-28.

Other top names who have entered the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational include six of this season’s winners - Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant and Chapchai Nirat, Filipino Artemio Murakami, Korea’s Lee Sung, Malaysia’s Airil Rizman and American Jason Knutzon.

Big-hitting Australian Scott Hend, third on the UBS Order of Merit, last year’s rookie of the year Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines, Singaporean number one Mardan Mamat and Thai stars Prom Meesawat and Prayad Marksaeng are amongst the other big-name players who will feature in Indonesia.

Europe’s Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood of England, winner of the British Masters last month, will headline the new US$350,000 event, which will be the third Indonesian tournament to be played on the Asian Tour this season.

Liang has enjoyed a stunning year with a win at the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters and seven other top-10s. The tenacious 29-year-old has made it his goal to become China’s first winner of the prestigious UBS Order of Merit title.

“I am looking forward to the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational. It will be a good event and it will also be another step towards the UBS Order of Merit title as the season is fast approaching to a close,” said Liang.

“In golf, anything can happen and a player outside of the top rankings can make a run for the title and win the event. It is going to be a thrilling week in Jakarta and I will be ready for it.

“I am quite pleased with my form as all aspects of my game have been good. I hope to continue with my good form in Indonesia and of course I would like to win the tournament. That is what I always aim for.”

Hend, who has played on the US PGA Tour for several seasons, has quickly adjusted to life in Asia in his rookie year, registering two top-threes in April. However, a win is what Hend is after although a wrist injury is threatening to derail his hopes.

“I’ve played with Liang many times before. It’s going to be very exciting and competitive in Indonesia,” said Hend.

He will be eyeing for a winning run at the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational and at the following week’s Barclays Singapore Open in hope of challenging Liang for supremacy.

This is because the Australian will play in the US Tour Qualifying School, forcing him to miss several of the year-end events in Asia. “I’ve got to finish on top in Indonesia and finish in the top five in Singapore to have a chance. I will not be playing in Hong Kong because of the US Tour second stage Qualifying School and if I get into the final stage, I won’t be playing in the other events at the end of the year.

“So the Indonesian and Singapore events are very important to me and I really want a strong finish in both. That is why I am heading back to the US to see a specialist and I hope to return to Asia fully cured and ready to challenge for the top spot once again,” he said.

The depth in talent on the Asian Tour will see several of this season’s first-time winners heading to Jakarta for the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational. Murakami, who is of Japanese-Filipino parentage, secured an emotional triumph at the Iskandar Johor Open in August while Korea’s Lee Sung, who is deaf, was successful at the Bangkok Airways Open.

Thai-based Scotsman Simon Yates and Prayad, who are both ranked in the top-10 of the UBS Order of Merit, will also feature in the inaugural Indonesian event with the hope of emerging as the first ever winner.

The Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational will be the 23rd event on this season’s Asian Tour Schedule, which will stage an all-time high 28 tournaments with over US$27 million in total prize money.

The event, which is promoted by Ancora Sports - one of Asia’s newest golf promoters, will be sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Indonesian Professional Golf Association (PGPI) and organised by the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI).

The Bumi Serpong Damai Course is a par-72 layout designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. The course offers a wonderful array of challenges within a visually appealing setting. It is the maiden project by Nicklaus in Indonesia.

October 8, 2007

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