SANYA, Hainan, – Oct. 28, 2004 – Chinese stalwart Liang Wen-chong is on a dual mission when he tees off in the Sanya Open at the magnificent Yalong Bay Golf Club.

The 25-year-old Liang, tipped to emulate the heroics of Zhang Lian-wei as China's next big thing in golf, is aiming to land his maiden win on the Asian Tour which will help realize his second goal, that is to keep his card in Asia for next year.

After a lean patch, Liang regained his form in mid-season and produced five recent top-10s in Japan, where he also plies his trade. As the top local player in this week's $250,000 Asian Tour event, all eyes will be on Liang to produce the goods in what is the second edition of the Sanya Open.

Australian Marcus Both will defend his title while other in-form players in the field include last week's winner Terry Pilkadaris of Australia, Thai veteran Boonchu Ruangkit and Simon Yates of Scotland, currently second on the Order of Merit.

Liang said: "It's always my intention to win when I play in China and this week is no different. I do need to play well as I'm ranked a lowly 144th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. I've got three more events to break into the top-60 (to keep his card) in Asia and a big week here will go a long way.

"I want to keep my playing privileges on the Asian Tour as it is a good Tour and there are some big events over here." Changes to his unconventional golf swing, where he has a baseball-like follow through, saw him struggle in early 2004. But he showed signs of improvements and started playing well in Japan where he has done enough to secure his card there for 2005.

"I changed my golf equipment in July and started playing really well. The changes have taken time to get used to. I was exempted in Japan this week but I had committed to this event and I'm happy to be here. I like the Yalong Bay golf course as it is a ball-striker's layout and if the wind blows as it has been over the past few days, it'll be challenging," said Liang, whose best finish in Asia is third at the 2002 TCL Classic on home soil.

Both finished tied third in the inaugural Crowne Plaza Open in Shanghai last week and is delighted to be back at the Robert Trent Jones Jr-designed venue which gave him his first professional success. When he played his first practice round on Monday, he replayed the four-foot winning putt on the 18th.

"I was overwhelmed after winning and everything was a blur. I replayed the last putt in practice and stuck a peg into the ground where the pin was last year. I hit the putt right in the middle of the peg," said Both.

"Playing well last week was nice as this week is a big thing on my schedule. I've got a bit of confidence coming here and I'm looking forward to it. There are a lot of positives for me to rely on."

Both's defence could come under threat from compatriot Pilkadaris, who celebrated his first Asian Tour victory in Shanghai. With his new wife, Monique, a child psychologist, totting the bag here, the Aussie is looking for a fresh start. "It was great to win last week but my glory finished on Sunday night.

"This week is a new week and I'm just another player again. It was very draining in Shanghai and I need to regroup and start off again. The wind will be a huge factor as it can blow quite hard. But I'm comfortable as the harder it blows, the more I like it, just like it was in Taipei (where he finished second).

"Monique wasn't with me last week but we had a few drinks to celebrate on Sunday night here. It's good to have her on the bag as she's my second pair of eyes. She can have a look at certain parts of my game and if I'm getting a bit lethargic, she'll crack the whip," said Pilkadaris.

The 'old man' of the Asian Tour, 48-year-old Boonchu, continues to sparkle as he enjoys a new career high. Last week's runner-up finish behind Pilkadaris saw him hit $185,878 in earnings this year, which is already career best for money won in a season for the Thai.

However, with strong winds prevailing over the Yalong Bay par-72 7,097-yards layout, Boonchu is cautious of his chances. "I'm not a fan of windy conditions. During practice, it was swirling and at times, it was two-club difference in the approach shots," said Boonchu, currently sixth on the merit list.

The Sanya Open is the 18th leg of this season's Asian Tour, with four more events remaining after this week.

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