Liang seeks a gold stroke

Liang Wenchong is dreaming of lifting the Volvo China Open trophy this week, saying that victory would be akin to winning an Olympic gold medal.

The reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion has always craved success in his national championship since bursting onto the scene with a fourth-place finish when he was still an amateur in 1999.

With the Chinese capital getting ready to host the Olympic Games for the first time in August, Liang knows that a home victory at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club will spark early celebrations.

"The Volvo China Open is our national open, almost like the Olympics of golf in China," said Liang.

"Every player dreams of winning their national open and with China hosting the Olympic Games this year, winning the title on home soil will be like winning the Olympic gold medal."

Liang, China's first Asian Tour No 1, made a quick dash home for the Volvo China Open from April 17-20 after competing in the US Masters, which extended an invitation for him to participate this year.

With the Volvo China Open being the first event on home soil this season, Liang is looking forward to performing in front of his fans.

"It's always good to be back in China and it means a lot for me to do well in front of my fans. Hopefully, I can play some good golf and make the fans proud," Liang said.

Liang enjoyed the best season of his career in 2007 with one victory at the Singapore Masters and eight other top-10s to win the Asian Tour's Order of Merit title.

His exploits on the Asian Tour have led many to take notice of the Chinese star, who many believe will spearhead the next generation of golfing talent from the mainland.

"I'm happy that I'm able to put China on the world map with my achievements so far. However, I also think that the progress of golf does not lie entirely with one player," said Liang, who finished tied for 12th in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on the US PGA Tour on March 30.

"It is the combined efforts of all the players who play well in tournaments that will help spread the game," added the humble star, who had donated all his Singapore winnings toward the development of golf in China.

The Zhongshan-based golfer has yet to produce his best form in 2008 thus far, apart from a tied seventh outing in the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open. Liang has uncharacteristically missed the cut in his last two events on the Asian Tour compared to only one missed cut appearance in the entire 2007 season.

"While my form has not been that great so far, I believe that I'm capable of showing my fans that I'm able to play golf of the highest standards," said Liang.

(China Daily 04/16/2008 page30)