Macao, 26 September 2013: Chinese number one Liang Wen-chong will challenge for the 2013 Venetian Macao Open title, which takes place from 17-20 October 2013 at the picturesque Macao Golf & Country Club.

 

After a string of solid performances this year, which includes top five finishes in Russia and Austria over the summer, the Chinese star believes he is in the sort of form that can take him to his maiden Venetian Macao Open title:

 

“I played the Macao Open back in 2007 and remember it well. I am very much looking forward to going back as it has been a while! Competition will be fierce this year with so many world class players already confirmed. I hope I will be able to perform to my ability and bring the trophy back to China for the first time since my childhood hero Zhang Lian-wei won it in 2001 and 2002.”

 

Currently 6th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, 35-year-old Liang’s impressive career to-date has led to a number of ‘firsts’ for China. In 2007, he became the first mainlander to play at the PGA Championship and the first from his country to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit. In the following year, the Zhongshan native was the first ever Chinese golfer to make the cut at a major at The Open. Furthermore, Liang is the first, and so far only, Chinese golfer to have cracked the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings, reaching 57 in 2010. He is relishing the opportunity to compete against Zhang, a long time supporter of the tournament:

 

“It is always a pleasure to be on the course with Mr Zhang Lian-wei who obviously had a big influence over my career. His efforts and achievements meant that people in China understood more about golf, which in turn created a lot of opportunities at a time when I was a junior and looking to turn professional.”

 

Four-time Major champion Ernie Els, who is an Asian Tour honorary member and international ambassador, will headline the Venetian Macao Open along with title holder Gaganjeet Bhullar of India.

 

Jointly organised by Macao Sport Development Board of Macao SAR Government (MSDB) and Golf Association of Macao, the tournament is sanctioned by the latter and the Asian Tour, and promoted by IMG. Following a successful foray into the world of golf last year, The Venetian^® Macao-Resort-Hotel recently announced it will return as title sponsor of the event for a second successive year.

The Venetian Macao Open will once again be a free entry event for golf fans from around the world to enjoy live world class professional golf in one of the best loved destinations for leisure and business travel in Asia.

 

Since its inauguration in 1998, the tournament has been graced by the presence of some of the best golfers the world has ever seen, including Lee Westwood, Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam and Mark O’Meara. This year’s event boasts a total prize fund of US$800,000, an increase of 6.7% compared to last year.

 

Sponsors joining The Venetian Macao in support of the tournament include Rolex, Srixon, Air Macao, Blue Girl and Bonaqua, as well as first time sponsors Lamborghini, Maui Jim, Subway, Hytera and Hong Kong Descente, which carries both the Le Coq Sportif Golf Collection and Munsingwear.

 

For more details on the Venetian Macao Open, please visit www.thevenetianmacauopen.com