SANYA, – Oct. 23, 2004 – Chinese star Liang Wen-chong will lead the local charge in the $250,000 Sanya Open next week as he bids for his first Asian Tour title and dethrone Australian Marcus Both.
The talented Liang, who hit fame when he finished fourth as amateur at the 1999 Volvo China Open, has played in Japan for most of this season, enjoying four recent top-10s.
With his good form, the 26-year-old is looking forward to his homecoming and is dreaming of landing his first major title. Liang's presence at the resplendent Yalong Bay Golf Club is a huge boost for the Sanya organisers, who raised the prize fund by $50,000 this year.
Both, who triumphed after a thrilling back nine duel last year, will defend his title while Chinese Taipei veteran Hsieh Min-nan, who was named to lead Asia again in next year's Visa Dynasty Cup against Japan, will also play on a sponsor's exemption.
Yalong Bay Golf Club General Manager Chen Ya Xiong said they were looking forward to Liang's arrival. "We have followed his progress closely this season and he seems to have hit form with several top-10s. Hopefully, Liang can win his first major professional title at the Sanya Open next week."
The Sanya Open is authorized by the Sports and Culture Bureau of Sanya while Yalong Bay Golf Club, designed by the world renowned Robert Trent Jones Jr, are the main sponsors. The magnificent Sheraton Sanya Resort is the official hotel.
Asian Tour Chief Executive Louis Martin said: “I would like to thank Yalong Bay Golf Club and the Sports and Culture Bureau of Sanya for their support. We would like to welcome on board the Sheraton Sanya Resort as an official partner of the event."
Known as the Oriental Hawaii, Hainan Island is located on the southernmost tip of mainland China. The Chinese government has designated the tropical island as a special tourism zone with the aim of competing in the tourism industry against the likes of Bali and Phuket. Last year, Sanya also hosted the Miss World Pageant.
The 25-year-old Both is looking forward his title defence. "Yalong Bay Golf Club is a wonderful facility. The golf course was presented in great condition which made playing the tournament a real pleasure. I can't wait to get back there.
"For the few days after my win, I didn't actually remember all that much of it. It all seemed a bit of a blur at the time. I was a bit shocked by the result as I hadn't been putting all that well leading into the event. That was the thing that really got me over the line in the end as I holed some great putts throughout the week.
"As the defending champion, I'll try to keep my expectations as low as possible as every week is different but I'll try to use the positives from last year in this year's attempt."
At 64 years old, Hsieh is still capable of playing good golf. A winner of over 50 international tournaments, he was in contention at the recent Taiwan Open before settling for tied ninth place, eclipsing some of his younger challengers.
"I'm looking forward to playing in Sanya as it'll be my first visit. It will be good for me to catch up with some of Asia's top players in view of the upcoming Visa Dynasty Cup against Japan but I'm mainly going over in view of being competitive."
Other top names slated for the Sanya Open include Scotsman Simon Yates, ranked second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, Thailand's Boonchu Ruangkit and Thaworn Wiratchant, Korea's Charlie Wi, Singapore's Mardan Mamat and India's Rahil Gangjee.
Hendrik Buhrmann of South Africa and Chinese Taipei's Chen Yuan-chi, who finished tied second with Mamat at last year's Sanya Open, have also signed up for next week's event along with the course record holder, Malaysia's Danny Chia.
Media Contact
Chuah Choo Chiang
Asian Tour
Communications Manager
T: +603 7880 3714
E: chuah@asiantour.com
