Liang appointment highlights China’s role in world golf (2)

（People's Daily Online）  13:51, July 15, 2013  

He added, “Liang is a well-known sportsman at home and in this role I believe he will make an invaluable contribution to the growth of the game there and also to the ever-increasing friendship between our two peoples.”

For years now Liang has been the best player in China. He topped the Asian Tour in 2007 and has since played in all four of the sport’s ‘Majors’ – The British Open, The Masters, The US Open and The US PGA. For years he has been looking over his shoulder in vain for a fellow countryman who will join him at the top level in golf and help him to carry the mantle of Chinese golf.

At last, it seems that the situation is improving. The teenage sensation Guan Tianlong became the youngest ever qualifier for The Masters at Augusta this year, and made the cut. Although Liang has not qualified for The Open, which starts at Muirfield in Edinburgh, Scotland next week, China will be represented by Wu Ashun.

Asked after his round on Friday if he felt that more Chinese male golfers were finally ready to make the breakthrough, he expressed confidence. “Wu Ashun has a good chance of making the grade. He has won his card on the Japanese Tour. Over the next two or three years I expect him to grow, and I expect to see him in the world’s top 200.” On Guan Tianlong, he was more guarded. “We shouldn’t burden him with too many expectations. He is still young, and has a long way to go. Anything might happen. But he has a huge talent.” Liang worked with Guan in his preparation for The Masters, and helped him to improve his physical condition and gain more length in his shots.