Chinese challengers

Liang Wenchong

Nationality: China

Turned Pro: 1999

Birthday: August 2, 1978

Currently:

Sixth in the 2008 Asia Tour Rankings

115th in the World Rankings

Was crowned Asia's No 1 in 2007, becoming the first Chinese player to win the Asian Tour's Order of Merit following a superb season where he clinched one victory and eight other top-10s.

Asian Tour victories:

2007 Clariden Leu Singapore Masters

Other victories:

Pro wins: 1999 Kunming Classic, China; 1999 Dalian Classic, China; 1999 Beijing Classic, China; 1999 Shenzhen Classic, China; 2001 Davidoff Nations Cup (with Zhang Lianwei), 2005 Kunming leg, China Tour, 2006 Hainan leg, Omega China Tour, 2006 Omega Championship, China

Other wins: 1996, 1997 & 1998 China Amateur Open

JPGA Tour:

2006 Sega Sammy Cup, 3rd place

2006 Munsingwear Open, 12th place

2006 PGA Championship, 10th place

2005 Dunlop Phoenix Championship, 6th place

2004 Shishido Hills Championship, 6th place

2004 Bridgestone Open, 4th place

Teams:

Visa Dynasty Cup: 2003 (winners), 2005 (winners)

Zhang Lianwei

Nationality: China

Turned Pro: 1994

Birthday: June 1, 1965

Currently:

45th in the 2008 Asia Tour Rankings

534th in the World Rankings

Asian Tour victories:

(5 times) 1996 Volvo Asian Matchplay, Indonesia; 2001 Macao Open; 2002 Macao Open; 2003 Caltex Masters Presented by Carlsberg, Singapore, 2003 Volvo China Open

Other victories:

1995 & 1996 Volvo Masters of Malaysia; 1995 & 1996 Volvo Masters of Thailand; 1995 Volvo Open, Shenzhen; 1997 Hugo Boss Open, China; 1998 Hong Kong PGA Championship, 2000 Ontario Open Heritage Classic, Canada; 2006 Zhuhai Championship; 2006 Shanghai Championship; 2006 Omega Tour Order of Merit; 2007 Qingdao Championship; 2007 Guangzhou Championship; 2008 Guangzhou Championship.

Teams:

Dynasty Cup: 2003 (winners), 2005 (winners)

Royal Trophy: 2006

Personal:

Started his sporting life as a javelin thrower before discovering golf and teaching himself the game. Worked as a caddie master at Zhuhai Golf Club during his early years. A great ambassador for Chinese golf, he has played and scored famous wins. Married in 2000 and named his first child, a girl, Apple and his son in 2004, Tiger.

Hu Mu

Nationality: China

Amateur player

Birthday: October 7, 1989

Career Highlights:

2001: 1st, 15-18-year-old division, China Junior Golf Open

2004: 11th, Sanya Open

2007: 75th, HSBC Champions Tournament

Personal:

First picked up a club at age 7 and almost immediately began tearing up the junior golf ranks.

When he was 11, won the 15- to 18-year-old division at the 2001 China Junior Golf Open. At 15, he won three times on the US junior circuit and played in a few events on the Asian Tour, highlighted by an 11th-place finish in the Sanya Open.

Admitted to the University of Florida, a school with top-tier golf and academic programs.

(China Daily 04/16/2008 page29)