OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP RELATED STORIES Rd 1: Battling Lam makes top 15 with fine 72 Rd 1: Choi crafts brave 72 in worst of weather Rd 1: Liang faces uphill task after opening 77 Rd 1: 17th hole birdie keeps Chia's chances alive Rd 1: Prayad struggles with wind and cold for 77 Rd 2: Choi takes lead with two closing birdies Rd 2: Liang makes first major cut with fighting 71 Rd 2: Lam makes cut and Singapore golf history Rd 2: Late bogies mean early exit for Prayad Rd 3: Choi joint 2nd as Norman storms 2 ahead Rd 3: Liang fires worthy 77 as scores soar Rd 3: Lam is blown away by Birkdale winds Rd 4: Choi heartbroken as Harrington defends Rd 4: Closing 74 gives Liang more major hopes Rd 4: Tough Open makes Lam eye Asian success Rd 4: Angelo Que means to learn and return Final scores The 2008 Open Championship home page Guide to the Royal Birkdale Course Four Australians qualify for The Open 67 Sentosa hopefuls aim for four Open berths Randhawa going for fourth Open outing Chia, Que and Ali lead Open berth battle Chia, Blyth, Lam and Que headed for Birkdale Dyson qualifies for Open - Rodgers, Brown and Jeev miss out Liang to make golfing history at Birkdale Prayad out to erase Masters misery at Birkdale Que looks to ride his winning wave Lam takes a second shot at Open Liang back in the swing and ready to shine Confident Prayad ready to face Birkdale breezes Lam aiming at top 25 - and having fun Chia out for Malaysian first at his second Open Que hoping to become a familiar face ASIAN GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Ben Leong claims maiden victory PGA: Jeev and Wi tie for ninth Prom targets Thai win in Brunei Shin Ji-yai takes Women's British Open Asian Tour starts 2nd half on a high Norman to play 2009 Johnnie Walker Mission Hills to host AP Summit GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Paul Azinger names US wildcards Faldo chooses Casey and Poulter Havret gains wire to wire Gleneagles win Sluman clinches First Tee Open with closing 67 Fallout continues over LPGA "English" rule Poulter chooses high risk Ryder Cup strategy

Closing 74 gives Liang more major hopes

China’s Liang Wen-chong was happy after wrapping up his British Open campaign on Sunday, saying it would lay the foundation for him to become a major contender in the near future.

The reigning Asian Tour number one carded a final round of four-over-par 74 at Royal Birkdale to end his week with a 19-over-par 299 aggregate. It was the first time that he had made the cut in three major appearances.

“I’m happy overall. This is my first time at the Open and I made it through the weekend. A tournament like this is a great learning experience. You learn to the patient and I will take this experience and apply it in future tournaments. I can become better,” said Liang.

As the first Chinese to compete in the world’s oldest major, Liang battled against gale-force winds which swept through Royal Birkdale and hopes to make a quick return to the Open, and other majors.

Liang will play in the Canadian Open, Reno-Tahoe Open and Wyndham Championship on the US PGA Tour over the next one month after receiving invitations and said that he hopes to eventually play his trade full time in America.

“I want to play on the PGA Tour but right now, I’m still laying the foundation. There are still things missing in my golf skills. One thing I am trying to learn is to peak at the right time.

“I also need to get my family and team ready too before making a move to America. If things are all in place, I will give it a shot,” said the 29-year-old, who finished tied 12th in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in the US earlier this season.

The Chinese star said K.J. Choi’s title charge at the British Open has been a source of inspiration, especially when Choi had started out his career on the Asian Tour during the mid-1990s.

“Whether K.J. wins or not today, he has already set a great example and is a role model. He is taking the steps that I am taking, from Asia to America and growing and improving. He’s shown the Asian players how this road can be travelled. K.J.’s route is for all Asian players and he’s a very successful role model,” said Liang.

Liang credited his early career success to his experience on the Asian Tour, where he won the Order of Merit last season with one victory and eight top-10s.

“I want to thank the Asian Tour as winning the Order of Merit has given me the opportunity to compete in the majors. I hope the Tour will continue to grow. Golf is a new game in China and being an Asian player, I started with the Asian Tour and took it step by step. I still have 10 to 15 years of golf ahead of me and I want continue to step upwards and forward,” said Liang.

Ultimately, he wants to challenge for golf’s biggest prizes, including the four majors.

“Patience and perseverance are the key factors and I will continue to work hard every day. One day I can get to my goals of winning the big tournaments.”

July 20, 2008