Liang, Zhang meet Goosen, Campbell in Shanghai thriller

The BMW Asian Open, sanctioned by the Chinese Golf Association, Asian Tour and European Tour, will return to the 7,340-yard Championship course at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club from April 24 to 27.

The $2.3 million tournament has once again attracted a stellar lineup of world-class golfers, including Majors champions Retief Goosen, Michael Campbell and Greg Norman, European aces Henrik Stenson and Miguel Angel Jimenez, and defending champion Raphael Jacquelin.

But all eyes will be on Chinese heroes Liang Wenchong and Zhang Lianwei as they seek to become the first Chinese players to win the BMW Asian Open.

Commenting on the Open's commitment to bringing the passion of golf to Shanghai, Head of Shanghai Regional Office, BMW Group, Wolfgang Bauer said: "BMW is delighted to bring to Shanghai for the fifth year running, the BMW Asian Open, which has earned its reputation as one of the premiere lifestyle events in China. As this is an important year for Chinese sports and with Liang Wenchong's current status as Asia's number one golfer, we have no doubt that the Chinese public will strongly support this tournament and get behind their local heroes as they compete against the world's golfing elite on home soil."

China's hopes lie with Liang, the first Chinese to win the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, and his mentor Zhang, the country's most celebrated golfer with one European Tour and four Asian Tour titles.

In a stellar 2007 season, Liang won his maiden European Tour event at the Singapore Masters in March and wracked up eight top-10 finishes en route to becoming Asia's No 1. Earlier this month, the 29-year-old made the cut at a US PGA Tour event finishing tied for 45th at the Sony Open in Hawaii. He is slated to play in two Majors in 2008 - the US Masters and the British Open.

"While it is a big honor to play in golf's Majors, a tournament like the BMW Asian Open is important to all Chinese pros to develop their game and to further promote golf to non-playing fans," said Liang, who played in his first Major, the PGA Championship last year. "I've enjoyed playing the last four BMW Asian Opens and I'm aiming for my best-ever result on my fifth trip to Tomson."

Meanwhile, China's golfing trailblazer Zhang, the first Chinese to win on the European Tour and to play in a Major, continues to be a force, winning three tournaments on the China Tour last year. His best finish at the BMW Asian Open at Tomson Golf Club was tied for fifth in 2004 and he will be seeking inspiration from the strong home support to become the first Asian to win the BMW Asian Open.

All the past six BMW Asian Open winners hail from Europe, except for South African Ernie Els who won in 2005. The others are Sweden's Jarmo Sandelin (2001), Ireland's Padraig Harrington (2002), Miguel Angel Jimenez (2004), Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (2006) and returning champion Raphael Jacquelin of France, who claimed a memorable wire-to-wire victory last year.

China Daily

(China Daily 01/30/2008 page23)