Wu leaps to forefront of Chinese game

The current pride of China's golf is making history and also carrying the country's hopes of success on the world stage.

Wu Ashun was the first Chinese winner on the Japan Golf Tour, in 2012 at the JGT Toshin Golf Tournament in Ryosen, and then followed that a year later with victory at the Heiwa PGM Championship. Nearing 30, Wu also not only followed the footsteps of compatriots Cheng Jun (1997) and Zhang Lianwei (2003) by winning the 21-year-old Volvo China Open this year, he went a step further by becoming the first player from the country to capture a European Tour title on home soil.

"It's a long journey in a golf career, someone can hit a low score in their 30s, 40s, so I have to just be patient and keep practicing, keep playing the tournaments and it will come," Wu said after his victory.