2008 China Tour Dell Championship

On Wednesday, Kong Weihai, Liu Anda and Wu Ashun all progressed from the two-day Volvo China Open Mid-China Qualifying event in Shanghai, securing their place at the US$2.2 million event, which will be played at Beijing CBD International Golf Club from April 17-20.

However, the trio had little time to celebrate as they were among about 40 players who flew to Xiamen in the evening to tee-off in the following morning's Dell Championship, the second tournament on this year's 10-event Omega China Tour.

There was little respite for the trio, who had some of the earliest tee-times. Playing the par-70 Orient (Xiamen) Golf and Country Club layout course from memory or scratch, Kong started at 7.40 while Wu and Liu hit their first shots at 8.00 and 8.20 respectively.

A former soldier, the 29-year-old Kong showed few ill effects from the early start to shoot a one-under 69, while Wu and Liu shot 72 and 73 respectively.

"I was a bit tired today, but overall I feel pretty confident after qualifying for the Volvo China Open," said Kong, a former soldier.

Kong is only in his second season on the Omega China Tour and his highlights include a sixth-place finish in last year's Guangzhou Championship and making the cut in last year's Midea China Classic on the Asian Tour.

As such, the promise of playing against some of the world's best in Beijing next month has given his already strong mind a bit of a boost.

"Although the Volvo China Open will be my first European Tour event, I'm relaxed. I'm looking forward to it because I learn much more from playing with foreign players. I just want to learn from the Asian and European Tour players."

At the Volvo China Open qualifier, Kong and Liu had matching one-over-par 73s in the second and final round to finish on a winning total of two-under-par 142, three ahead of Wu.

Liu and Kong had started the day with a three-shot lead from Xu Qin, who last week finished as China's second-highest finisher in the KEB Invitational, also in Shanghai.

The duo then struggled to the turn in 39 and were caught by Wang Yongqiang, who made up five strokes with an outward nine of 34. Wu also surged to within one shot of the leaders by the turn. But Liu and Kong steadied themselves to come home in two-under-par 34 and distance themselves from the chasing group.

"I played very well on the back nine and felt that I was okay until the 18th hole," said Shandong-based Liu. "Then I hooked my second shot into the water and thought that maybe I'd blown my chance. I concentrated on finishing the hole as best I could and when I saw my friends give me the thumbs-up sign, I was very relieved."

It was also a nail-biting finish for the 22-year-old Wu, who qualified for this year's Asian Tour along with compatriot and Shang Lei. Lying two shots behind Wang after 13 holes, the Xiamen player played the next five holes in one-under-par only to three-putt the final hole for bogey.

"I thought I'd lost the chance there," said Wu. "But when I got to the clubhouse and saw the scoreboard, it was a good feeling."

After the Dell Championship, Wu will travel to Manila for next week's Philippine Open. "I'll rest for a few days after that to get refreshed for the Volvo China Open," he said.

Ten of the 13 spots available via qualifying for the Volvo China Open have been secured. The final qualifying event will be held from April 1-2 at Beijing Honghua International Golf Club.

March 27, 2008

Bookmark page with:

Return to Top of Page