Top Chinese Golfer Aims at Winning Return
    2009-05-20 08:46:13     Xinhua      Web Editor: Sun Yang
 

Top Chinese golfer Zhang Lianwei is hoping to make a winning return to Chengdu when he competes in the RMB1 million Luxehills Golf Championship from June 11-14, his third successive event on this year's Omega China Tour.

After winning the Chengdu Classic in the Sichuan capital in 1999 and 2001, the 43-year-old is now aiming for a victorious debut at the Luxehills International Country Club, which will host its second Omega China Tour event since opening last year.

"Chengdu should be hot in June, but I hope to play well at Luxehills as hot weather suits me. Confidence is very important for a tournament player," said Zhang, who turns 44 on June 1.

"My last visit to Chengdu was many years ago, but I've heard from other players that the Luxehills course is beautiful and I look forward to playing there."

Zhang is among a host of top Chinese pros confirmed for the Luxehills event, along with eight-time Tour champion Li Chao, Dell Championship winner Wu Weihuang, Omega Championship winner Zhou Jun, big-hitting Yuan Hao and local star Huang Mingjie.

Zhang, the first mainland Chinese to win a European Tour event and compete in a Major, has won six times in 17 appearances on his domestic circuit, while also finishing runner-up four times and third five times.

However, the father-of-two has not won since his commanding victory in the Guangzhou Championship last March and will be especially motivated after sacrificing a final-day lead at last month's Sofitel Golf Championship in Nanjing, won by big-hitting Australian Kurt Barnes.

"The competition on the Omega China Tour has become stronger and there will be a lot of top foreign players coming to Chengdu, which will be another toughtest for the Chinese players," said Zhang, who finished third in Nanjing behind Barnes and Thailand's Wisut Arjanawat.

The Luxehills field is expected to feature 10 pros from the PGA Tour of Australasia and five from the Mercedes-Benz Tour in Southeast Asia, as well as 10 foreigners from Qualifying School and up to two invites from each of Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Macao.

Zhang won the 2006 Omega Order of Merit and finished second in 2007 and last year, when he followed up his win in Guangzhou with runner-up finishes at the Dell Championship in Xiamen and the Sofitel Golf Championship in Nanjing.

Chinese Taipei's Tsai Chi-huang, 40, will also be among the favourites in Chengdu after winning last year's inaugural Luxehills event with a Tour-record 18-under total of 270.

         Bookmark and Share
Recommend


CRIENGLISH.com claims the copyright of all material and information produced originally by our staff. All rights reserved. Reproduction of text for non-commercial purposes only is permitted provided that both the source and author are acknowledged and a notifying email is sent to us.

CRIENGLISH.com holds neither liability nor responsibility for materials attributed to any other source. Such information is provided as reportage and dissemination of information but does not necessarily reflect the opinion of or endorsement by CRI.

 
Editor's Pick more »

Chinese Press more »

Talk to CRI
View the Messages


M Zone
Tiger Wong Back with Her New Album 'Simple Or Not'
Taiwanese singing star Tiger Wong was back in Beijing on November 27 and 28 for two good reasons.
Duggy Day's Ski Trip to Wanlongbayi
On Sunday November 21st CRI's Duggy Day headed out to Wanlongbayi which is located west of Beijing.
More>>
• China
China News
Chinese Press
Diplomatic
Society
Gallery
• World
Asia-Pacific
Europe
Americas
Middle East
Africa
• Video
Traveller
Culture Heritage
Beyond Stardom
Dynamic China

Life 360
Panoramic Sports
• Radio
Radio Programs Directory
Highlights
Livecast
Ways to Listen
• Business
Audio
Markets
Editor's Choice
Biz Photo
Special Coverage
• Travel
Destinations
Editor's Pick
What's in
On the Road
• Showbiz
Chinese Films
Music & Stage
Art & Literature
Video
Photo Gallery
Special Coverage
• Language Learning
Ask Pingping and Jules
Chinese Studio
Elementary Chinese
Pop Charts
English News
English Snippets