Chinese stars hooked on 'green opium'

Ageing Chinese stars are ditching their respective sports and hitting the links as born-again golf players as the allure of "the green opium" begins to take root in the country.

Former women's world No 1 shuttler Ye Zhaoying and international soccer midfielder Deng Lejun caused a sensation at last week's Volvo China Open qualifier in Beijing, stealing the limelight as they attempt to successfully migrate over where other more famous stars, including NBA legend Michael Jordan, have struggled.

Neither of the two Chinese stars managed to qualify in Beijing but Deng, who turned professional last October, was upbeat after advancing to the second round of the two-day event.