Liang proud to carry Asia's flag
Updated: 2008-04-08 10:51
Liang Wenchong never imagined his life would change so dramatically when a golf club was first put into his hands 14 years ago.
The 29-year-old will become only the second Chinese mainland player to compete in the prestigious Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club next week.
Liang is the best player in a new generation of Chinese golfers with a burning desire to excel on the global stage and the skill and mentality to succeed.
He believes a player from the Asian Tour can one day win the Masters. But for now, he's just happy to be there.
"I am grateful for the chance to play in the US Masters," said Liang, who will be joined by Asian Tour stalwarts Jeev Milkha Singh of India and Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng at the Masters.
"As representatives of Asia, we want to do a good job there and leave a good impression," Liang said.
Liang's mentor Zhang Lianwei walked the hallowed Augusta grounds in the 2004 Masters, but missed the cut by two strokes. Liang hopes to achieve where his mentor failed.
Liang, who won once and posted eight other top-10 finishes to become Asia's No 1 last season, will be riding a wave of confidence following his joint 12th finish at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans on the US PGA Tour last weekend.
His highly regarded coach Kel Llewellyn believes the Chinese ace will leave a mark on international golf.
"I think Liang is potentially a Major champion," said the Australian, who previously guided Kyi Hla Han and Jyoti Randhawa to the top of the Asian Tour.
"He has such a wonderful temperament. He works hard in practice sessions often lasting 12 hours and nothing really bothers him. He has that ability to detach himself from past and future."
Liang knows that a good showing at the Masters, the year's first Major, will bolster China's growing interest in golf. But he says it is not up to him alone to grow the nation's interest in the sport.
"I think that the progress of golf does not lie entirely with one player. It is the combined efforts of many players playing well in tournaments that will help spread the game," Liang said.
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