MIDEA CHINA CLASSIC RELATED STORIES Midea China Classic home page Midea China Classic Preview Round 1: Lee Sung fires 8 birdies for 1-shot lead Round 2: Thaworn takes the lead in style with 63 Round 3: Eagles carry Yates and Chinarat to top Round 4: Thaworn takes record ninth title Final Scores & Prize Money About the Royal Orchid International Course UBS Order of Merit after the Brunei Open The leading contenders this week Zhang has home advantage at Midea venue New father Steel returns to action at Midea Strong field for Midea China Classic Zhang and Liang sign up for Midea China Classic Midea China Classic joins Asian Tour schedule Details of the Royal Orchid International Course ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Swedes sweep World Cup win Lin & Marksaeng near top 50 HK: Lin wins in 3-way playoff Asian Tour hits landmark 300 in HK Asian Tour releases 2009 schedule Report predicts 30% China golf growth GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Sweden win World Cup Internationals claim Lexus Cup Pampling wins in a playoff Choi wins Skins Game Amateur: EGU allow range finders

 Event Preview - the leading contenders

Zhang Lian-wei
Zhang is slowly making his presence felt on the Asian Tour this season. Eager to stamp his mark in the second half of the season, the Chinese stalwart will be all out to deliver in front of his home fans at the Midea China Classic. Zhang had a role to play in the redesign of the course and is tipped to stay among the frontrunners at the Royal Orchid International Golf Club.

Simon Yates
Yates has found the right touch to his game after seeking advice from Simon Hurd’s coach. With a new found swing, four top-10 results and coming off a runner-up finish in Johor, Yates is keen on notching one better this week.

Scott Hend
Despite a nagging injury to his right hand, Hend is still a hot favourite capable of snatching the top spot after numerous near misses this year. Hend produced five top-10s that included two runner-up finishes and with the desire to lift a maiden title growing ever stronger in the second half of the season, the Australian stalwart will be tipped to lead the charge in Guangzhou.

Lin Wen-tang
Lin might be the player to snatch a back-to-back triumph after a superb second half of the season performance. With three top 10s that included a win at the recent Brunei Open, Lin is confident heading out at the Royal Orchid International Golf Club. To top it off, Lin also played the course last year on the domestic circuit where he enjoyed four solid rounds and claimed the runner-up position, finishing a spot below behind Zhang. He is determined for a strong showing this week.

Liang Wen-chong
Liang Wen-chong is tipped as a hot favourite playing on home soil as he is focused on cementing his position on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit. He broke through with a win in Singapore and has been on the hunt throughout the season. After a missed cut at the previous Brunei Open, Liang is eager to bounce back to his winning ways.

September 12, 2007