BARCLAYS SINGAPORE OPEN RELATED STORIES Barclays Singapore Open home page Barclays Singapore Open Preview Round 1: Lam raises local hopes as weather calls a halt Round 1: Zhang enjoys return to Lion City Round 1: Els hits the front in early morning Round 2: Els and Dyson lead as weather strikes again Round 2: McIlroy edges Noh in battle of the teen titans Round 2: Els & Dyson two ahead as second round completed Round 3: Chapchai leads from star-studded chasing pack Round 3: Chapchai in charge by three from Lam Round 4: Jeev holds off major champions for victory Round 4: Lam secures Tour card despite closing 79 Final Scores & Prize Money Asian Tour Order of Merit standings after the Barclays Singapore Open About the course Lahiri gets a slot thanks to Poulter's lost driver Choi tips Noh and Lee for big time In-form Els relishes Singapore swing Adam Scott going for Singapore hat-trick Seven to watch this week Asia's stars tee it up with world's best Harrington looks to Singapore for final 2008 victory Order of Merit chase resumes at Barclays Pornsakon books last Barclays Singapore berth Kiradech wins a place in elite Barclays Singapore field Thai tigers earn their Barclays Singapore stripes Best of Asia headed for Barclays Singapore Open Kiwi Lee gets Barclays Singapore slot Huge field for Barclays Singapore Open qualifying Prom looks for strong return to Sentosa In-form Atwal targets cross-Straits double Mark Brown - What a difference a year makes McIlroy joins Barclays Singapore field in search of maiden title Harrington to play Barclays Singapore Open Big names sign up for $5m Barclays Singapore MORE ASIAN GOLF NEWS Han Will Speak At IHT Sports Summit Volvik Agree With Asian Tour Over Sponsorship Memories Inspire Rai In Singapore Break Gives Mamat Route To Success Singapore Classic Welcomes Kia Motors PGA Malaysia Moves To OneAsia CCM Extends Sponsorship Of Impian Masters Faldo To Play In Pro-Am In Cambodia

Zhang enjoys return to Lion City

Chinese ace Zhang Lian-wei has a close affinity with Singapore. And he was certainly glad to be amongst the early leaders at the weather-disrupted Barclays Singapore Open on Thursday.

The Chinese trailblazer carded a one-under-par 70 at Sentosa Golf Club to trail clubhouse leader Lam Chih Bing of Singapore by three shots in the US$5 million Asian Tour event.

Five years ago, Zhang roared at the Lion City when he won the Caltex Masters, pipping Ernie Els with a birdie on the 72nd hole. With another star-studded cast gathered at Sentos,a the veteran is hoping to roll back the years.

"I am pleased with the round. It was tough out there. The rain made it a little bit harder for me especially on the back nine as the winds also picked up. The pins were tricky and you can see it in the scores which are not really low today," said Zhang.

"I chipped and putted nicely as I missed several greens and had to scramble for pars. My form hasn't been great over the past few weeks and I'm tinkering with my swing all the time to find a solution. Hopefully, I can continue with this good start.

"Singapore has been good to me as I won the Singapore Masters back in 2003. It's a long time again that I won and I don't think about that anymore. Hopefully I can start talking about new wins."

Korea's Charlie Wi also carded a 70 to keep up his charge. The US-based Wi said: "I played nice today. The course is playing really difficult. The greens are so big that it's hard to get it close to the hole. The course is in perfect conditions. If you hit some good iron shots, there are scores out there. I played with Ben Leong and he made like four to five birdies.

"The course is playing really long. We're hitting like five or six irons into the greens. If the course was firm, we would be hitting wedges in. If it dries out, we could see some lower scores. Two or three under a day will be a good score."

After keeping his card on the PGA Tour, Wi is in Asia for the next two weeks and hopes to cap his year with a victory.

"I had another good year in the US. I had like 12 top-25s and I played really solid. I definitely want to try to get into contention and give myself a chance to win over the next two weeks. Then I'm done for the year," said Wi.

"I'm definitely getting better. I am working with my coach there every week and I'm getting better. I'm finding my comfort zone there."

He showed his Major credentials by being in contention at the US PGA Championship before finishing tied ninth. He played alongside eventual winner Padraig Harrington and runner-up Sergio Garcia.

"It was good that I was in contention at the PGA Championship. I am sure I can play better the next time I'm in that position. It showed that I could play tough courses and against anybody in the world. I played with Padraig and Sergio on the last day and it was exciting to watch. I was right there. It was cool to see."

November 13, 2008