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Strong local challenge for Mercuries Taiwan Masters

Lin Wen-tang, Lu Wen-teh and Wang Ter-chang will spearhead the local charge when they tee off at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters next week.

The trio will be flanked by compatriots and past tournament winners that include Lu Wei-chih, Lin Wen-ko, Tsai Chi-huang, Lin Keng-chi and Yeh Chang-ting at the US$500,000 Asian Tour event.

Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, who is ranked 19th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, is a former winner of the event back in 2004 as he will be joined by Asian Tour regulars Terry Pilkadaris of Australia, in-form Korean Lee Sung, Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat and Prayad Marksaeng and Malaysia’s Airil Rizman Zahari at the prestigious Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

Chinese Taipei’s Wen-tang will be among the top guns tipped to set the pace in front of his home fans having chalked up three top-10 finishes this season that included a win at the recent Brunei Open. After his maiden triumph at the home Open last year, Wen-tang will be determined to strike it right at the Tamsui course next week.

The Tamsui course has been a good hunting ground for Wen-teh, 44, who is a two-time winner of the tournament back in 1994 and 1996 and after having chalked up his second win on the Asian Tour at the Macau Open in May this year, the Danshu-based golfer is set to challenge his compatriot for title. Wen-teh will be unfazed by the tough conditions at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club having already battled through inclement weather for a play-off triumph in Macau.

The Tamsui course is nicknamed the “Cradle of the golfers” as it is recognised as the breeding ground for top Chinese Taipei players like 2005 winner Wei-chih. Wei-chih will be eager to get back on track at the Tamsui course after a slow season this year with only one top-10 in Macau.

Chinese Taipei veteran Wang, who has won four titles on the Asian Tour, will be hoping to repeat his run on a course which saw him lift the title back in 1991. It will be a return to familiar ground for Wang competing on his former home course. Wang delivered his first top-10 this season at the Brunei Open as he hopes to stay in the leading fray in the second half of the season.

The Mercuries Taiwan Masters will also feature young guns Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines, India’s SSP Chowrasia, big-hitting Australian Scott Hend, coupled with India’s Rahil Gangjee, Australian Adam Groom and Korean youngster Park Jun-won who were among those who finished in the top-10 last year.

September 15, 2007