Liang is confident of victory in Singapore Open

Current Asian number one Liang Wen-chong has made a Tiger Woods-like prediction that he will win next month’s Barclays Singapore Open, to be held at the Sentosa Golf Club on November 1-4.

China’s Liang, long-time leader of the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit with US$469,708 in winnings, said that he would not be intimidated by the big names in the field for the US$4 million tournament.

World number two Phil Mickelson of the United States, two-time defending champion Adam Scott of Australia, last year’s runner up Ernie Els, prolific winner Vijay Singh of Fiji and South Korea’s Choi Kyung-ju who is coming off a successful season on the PGA Tour, are the main draw cards for the Barclays Singapore Open.

“My goal this year is to win. It is my goal for every tournament and the Barclays Singapore Open will be one that I will strive hard for success,” said a confident Liang.

“But in saying that, my performance that week will depend on my condition, if my form is alright or if I’m in good physical health.

“I think Tiger Woods is the one person who can live out his words because whenever he says he wants to win, he most often does it. But I will try my best and a top finish is definitely my target that week.”

Liang said that he would not be looking over his shoulder to see what the star players are doing. “I realise that there is a very strong field that week but my focus has always been on my own game,” said the Chinese number one. “I will block out all the other players in the field when I am out there and will look at my game, which has been and will continue to be my strategy for this year, including in Singapore.”

Liang has good memories of the Serapong championship course at Sentosa Golf Club after his fourth place finish last year following back-to-back 68s in the final two rounds.
He was the leading Asian player with a three-round total of four-under par 209 (73-68-68), four shots adrift of Scott and Els who tied for first place ahead of the Australian’s playoff victory.

“Last year’s Barclays Singapore Open was really good. I have vivid memories, mainly of my putting. I was putting really well and I remember that I was holing everything within seven feet,” recalled Liang.

“From what I remember from last year, the Sentosa Golf Club requires accurate tee shots. The rough is also really unforgiving. Since I will want to avoid the rough and other hazards on the course, I believe that a lot will depend on how accurate I am off the tee.”

Liang has playing rights on the European Tour after his thrilling victory in the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters in March but the 29-year-old from Zhongshan has played extensively on the Asian Tour this season as he chases the number one spot.

The winner of the Barclays Singapore Open will receive a colossal cheque for US$634,000 with every player in the top eight picking up more than US$100,000 leaving the door wide open for challengers to nip in and overtake Liang in the Order of Merit race.

“I am quite pleased with my current performance as I am steady in all aspects of my game,” he said. “There are several big events coming up and a lot can still happen. These next few weeks will be crucial and we might see some big movers. But I will focus on my own game and hope to continue with my steady form.”

October 17, 2007

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