Syndicated Thumbnail Navigation player featuring a selection of clips taken from Golf Bug TV. For use on the Golf Today website. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1175881076http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=495713462 RELATED STORIES Sony Open in Hawaii preview Liang is first Chinese to take Order of Merit Liang scores a UBS Awards hat-trick Liang becomes first Chinese tour millionaire An interview with Chinese no. 1 Liang Wen-chong 2007 Singapore Masters: Liang wins in playoff ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Open: Choi takes lead with two closing birdies Open: Liang makes first major cut with fighting 71 Open: Lam makes cut and Singapore golf history Open: Late bogies mean early exit for Prayad IGF forms Olympic Committee with eye to 2016 Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES R 3: Norman takes a two shot lead R 3: Duval stumbles to an 83 R 3: Injury bonus for Harrington R 3: Wakefield boosts local hopes R 3: KJ Choi remains in contention R 3: Garcia disappointed with a 74

Liang kicks off 2008 in Hawaii

Asia’s number one Liang Wen-chong of China will launch his 2008 campaign in Hawaii this week with every intention of pushing himself to the forefront of world golf this season.

Liang, the first Chinese player to lift the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit crown after a stellar season last year, will compete in the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu starting on Thursday.

The tenacious 29-year-old was invited to the US PGA Tour event based on his newly attained status as the region’s top player and he will be aiming to pick up from where he left off last year.

In 2007, Liang sensationally won once in Singapore and registered eight other top-10s but he knows that he cannot rest on his laurels in his quest for more success.

“2007 has past and I’m looking ahead towards the new year,” said the Zhongshan-based golfer. “I took only a short break after our final event in December and I’ve been practising hard at home.”

Liang’s goals are straightforward this year as he hopes to win a second career title, qualify for the Masters Tournament by breaking into the world’s top-50 before April and launch a possible attempt at the US PGA Tour Qualifying School.

“I’m still unclear about my full playing schedule. However, I plan to cut down on the number of tournaments that I will play as I’ve played in over 30 events for the last three years.

“I need to plan more carefully and ensure that I have enough breaks in between tournaments but I’ll certainly play on the Asian Tour and in Europe,” said Liang.

With his new attitude, this week’s US jaunt will be his only tournament for the month. He will resist the temptation of playing in the Middle East swing of events later this month and has opted to stay home to work on his game which he says needs “improvements in every aspect.”

Liang, voted by his peers as the Players’ Player of the Year last month, will resume his travels on the Asian Tour in February where he will head to Indonesia before proceeding to India and Malaysia in hope of improving his 87th position in the world ranking.

He is dreaming of breaking into the top-50 to qualify for the Masters Tournament, the year’s first Major, and follow in the footsteps of his mentor and close friend Zhang Lian-wei, who played in Augusta National in 2004 after receiving a special invite.

“That’s one of my goals, to try and qualify for the Masters,” said Liang, who is already assured a spot in the British Open in July following his Order of Merit success.

“I will need to play really well in the early-season events to improve my world ranking.

“I would certainly like to win again this year but I’ll take it step by step. If things go well, I plan to try the US Qualifying School. Playing in America would be the next step in my career for me,” he added.

January 8, 2008