Confident Liang out to strike a blow for Asia at Masters

Liang Wenchong never quite imagined his life could change so dramatically the moment a golf club was put in his hands some 14 years ago.

The 29-year-old will this week become only the second mainland player to compete in the prestigious Masters and will do so as China's first-ever Asian Tour number one.

Liang represents an exciting generation of golfers from the mainland who not only have the burning desire to excel on the global stage but also has the game and mentality to achieve success.

He believes an Asian Tour player can one day win the Masters and he is ready to state his case.

'I am grateful for the chance to play in the US Masters,' said Liang, who was invited by Augusta National along with Asian Tour stalwarts Jeev Milkha Singh of India and Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng. 'As representatives of Asia, we want to do a good job there and leave a good impression on them.'

Liang's mentor and close friend, Zhang Lianwei, walked the hallowed grounds in the 2004 Masters but missed the cut by two strokes. Naturally, Liang hopes to achieve what Zhang failed to do. The tenacious Liang, who won once and posted eight other top-10s to become Asia's new number one last season, will have his confidence boosted following a tied-12th finish at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on the US PGA Tour 10 days ago.