Zhang a happy member of millionaires' club

Chinese women's golfer Zhang Na is enjoying life now that she's broken into the millionaires' club after a stellar first season in the JLPGA.

"I did not expect to have this success in such a short time. And the money I made has changed my life and also my coach's life a lot," Zhang said, adding that she had never expected to earn so much within one year.

"In the past I used to think, 'Wow! Tiger Woods is making so much money from golf!' Now I realize something similar is happening to me, though on a much smaller scale."

Zhang is now back in China having just finished a domestic competition in last weekend's Orient China Ladies Open where she placed fifth.

Her brilliant JLPGA record and her gorgeous outfit put her in the limelight as she won the Photogenic Award, drawing more attention than South Korean star Shin Ji-yai, who successfully defended the title on the golf course.

"In the JLPGA, every golfer is told to put making money at the top of your golf career. Everyone is motivated to win trophies and the biggest prize money in order to change their lives. This is the most impressive thing I have learned from JLPGA," said Zhang, also China's first female golfer to become a millionaire.

The 26-year-old, who earned her card to play in JLPGA's Step-Up Tour, had an incredible rookie season, winning four events to earn $812,000 (just under six million yuan) for the year.

She gave her best performance to date in June, winning the Suntory Open and 14,400,000 yen ($127,000). A week later, she won the Kracie Championship, and 23,400,000 yen ($207,000). In July, she won the Axa Open for another 14,400,000 yen ($127,000) check. Her fourth victory came at the Tokai Classic, along with 12,600,000 yen ($111,000).

Zhang's increasing popularity in Japan has also earned her a number of sponsors.

"I still remember years ago when my coach and I were struggling with the sponsorship problem," said Zhang, who also now has her own caddie and interpreter in Japan. "Life was not easy at that time as we needed money to come around and compete."

An ambitious Zhang is now eager to improve her status in her second season of JLPGA next year.

"There have been many things that I have learned and now my passion for golf is even greater than before," said Zhang. ""The new season starts in March. There are 38 competitions next year and more sponsors are getting involved. I am confident I will play better golf and win more trophies."

(China Daily 12/20/2007 page22)