2007 Iskandar Johor Open

Liang Wen-chong is primed for a charge at the US$300,000 Iskandar Johor Open having the support of his coach for the first time on an Asian Tour event this week.

The 29-year-old Zhongshan-born star will be under the guidance of his coach Kel Llewellyn for the first time outside of China as he is determined to kick start the second half of the season with a top finish at the Royal Johor Country Club.

The in-form Liang, who competed in his first ever major two weeks ago, will be geared to face off against Asia’s top guns that include local star Airil Rizman Zahari, Australia’s Scott Hend, who chalked up four top-10s this season, Thailand’s Chinarat Phadungsil and Thaworn Wiratchant, Chinese Taipei’s Lu Wen-teh and Lee Sung of Korea.

Liang was on a high in the first half of the season with his maiden triumph in Singapore and with a challenging course this week, he hopes to strike it right under the watchful eye of his coach of seven years, Llewellyn.

“I will do my best to strengthen my position on the UBS Order of Merit but in golf anything can happen. I am with my coach for the first time outside of China while in an event because I want to try and go all the way in the second half of the year.

“It is important to have a good start and hopefully I can do just that here. This is a tricky course with tight fairways but I hope to be in there for a chance,” said Liang.

Llewellyn, with 20 professional titles in Australia, believes that Liang has the potential to steer clear from the chasing pack this week riding on his good form this year.

“It is vital for changes in his game to be done during tournament week and that is why I am here. We hope to have a consistent run and I hope to refine his game even further in the second half of the year, starting with this event,” said Llewellyn.

Malaysia’s Airil will be eager to emulate his first half performance when he tees off at the Royal Johor Country Club. He burst into action at the start of the year with a win at the Pakistan Open in January but has not been at his best form as the mid-season approached.

“I had a great start to the season and if I can repeat that performance in the second half of the year, it would be nice.

The course here has tight fairways and tricky greens so it will be quite a challenge out there. I hope to get back in rhythm and I believe that if I can keep it straight and hit solid approach shots, I will have a good run,” said Airil, who has posted one other top-10 this year.

Thailand’s 18-year-old Chinarat, with two Asian Tour titles under his belt, emerged as the youngest winner when he won his maiden Asian Tour title in Bangkok and followed that up with a triumph in China last year. After a slow start in the 2007 season, Chinarat is determined to tackle the course at the Royal Johor Country Club to improve on his standings among Asia’s top players.

“My form has not been the best in the first half of the season and I hope to get back on track this week. The greens here are tricky and hard to read but I am determined to make the best of it for a strong result,” said Chinarat, who is ranked 37th on the UBS Order of Merit.

Korea’s Lee stands an equal chance at the title as his impressive win at the Bangkok Airyways Open in June has inspired him to stay among the frontrunners this week.

“The win has made me believe that I can do it again and it would be nice to repeat it here in Johor. I know what to expect now. The course here is quite challenging yet similar to how it is in Koh Samui so I hope to have fun and stay among the leaders this week,” said Lee.

August 22, 2007

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