Liang predicts Chinese major champion

China, riding a domestic golfing boom and full of fast-improving players, will soon have a major winner, according to Asian Tour champion Liang Wenchong.

Liang, who in December became the first Chinese player to win Asia's Order of Merit, believes the rapid growth of golf in his country will soon be rewarded on the biggest stage.

"We will have Chinese winners of majors one day, not so far away, because of the support we have," Liang told Reuters in an interview.

"Our game is growing, more parents and kids are involved in golf, there are scholarships, people are going overseas to play and learn. It's sure to happen."

Such things would have been unheard of 40 years ago. After China began opening its doors to the western world, golf courses and driving ranges started to open.

Liang learned to play on the first course built in mainland China, which is now one of several hundred used by an estimated half-million players.

With the support of its golf federation, corporate sponsorship and, ultimately, the lure of the dollar, Liang is predicting big things for his compatriots.

"There's nothing holding back golf in China," he said.

"The money is growing, we have $5-million-purse tournaments and more and more coming. If we continue in this way, it'll only grow and grow and we will see success."

Liang turned professional in 1999 after recording three successive China amateur open victories. He is now a regular on the Asian Tour, where his charisma, charm and humility make him popular among fans and fellow professionals alike.

Dream season

Liang had a dream season and joined Zhang Lianwei as the only Chinese to have played in a major and to have won a European Tour sanctioned tournament, each lifting the Singapore Masters trophy.

But the 29-year-old Zhongshan-native went a step further when he recorded eight other top-10 finishes to win Asia's Order of Merit.

That earned him a place in next year's British Open at Royal Birkdale, where he will become the first Chinese player to make the final field.

Liang downplays his success, however, describing his Asian Tour title simply as a stepping-stone.

"I love the game. I continue to learn the game and that makes me love the game," he said. "When you love something, you let it become part of your life.

"I get a buzz from it, it's not just a job for me. I get the nerves, I get excitement, I love the thrill, the challenge. I never thought this would happen, so I have to take it slowly.

"I work from sunrise to sundown every day, but I will always go through those emotions. That's the reason why we play this game."

Agencies

(China Daily 12/28/2007 page22)