Guangzhou, August 26, 2013 (HK Golfer News Wire) - The two stars are widely acclaimed as the most accomplished Chinese golfers in history and both have represented Asia at the Royal Trophy previously; Zhang Lian-wei in the inaugural edition played in Thailand in 2006 and Liang Wen-chong four times – including in the two encounters where the Asian Team triumphed over the Europeans.
"It is an enormous honour to represent Asia at the next edition of the Royal Trophy when the competition will be played in my home nation of China and my home province of Guangdong,” stated Zhang Lian-wei, winner of over fifteen professional career titles.
"I am thankful to Captain Y.E. Yang for nominating me for this prestigious and very important role in the Asian Team and I am looking forward with great anticipation to working together with him in leading Asia to victory at Dragon Lake Golf Club in Guangzhou.
"The hosting of the first-ever edition of the Royal Trophy in China is a truly historic event and I am very confident that the Guangzhou Municipality, Guangdong Province and the People’s Republic of China will be great hosts of Asia and Europe. I am also certain that the Asian Team will compete with the greatest intensity, dedication and competitive spirit,” concluded the great ambassador of Chinese golf.
The Royal Trophy is played over three days in a highly competitive team match-play format featuring sixteen foursomes, four-ball and singles matches. Each continent is represented by eight players.
"The next edition of the Royal Trophy will be an unforgettable event. To play for Asia in China is incredible," said Liang Wen-chong, the winner of the OneAsia Tour Order of Merit in 2010.
"This promises to be one of the most important moments of my career and I expect it to be a very emotional time. I am certain that I will enjoy great support from the
Chinese fans and this will be very helpful as we confront the Europeans. We have defeated them two times now, including in the latest edition,” added the winner of eleven professional career titles.
"When K.T. Kim converted the winning putt in the previous edition of the Royal Trophy securing our victory over the Europeans, we all broke out in a great celebration – hugging each other and dancing. It was a fantastic feeling; and a feeling that I want to relive and share with the Chinese people at this next edition of the Royal Trophy at Dragon Lake Golf Club.
"The Royal Trophy has grown into a very important event, as the only official championship where Asia competes with Europe. The competition carries a great heritage and very strong history and I encourage all Chinese golf fans to travel to Guangzhou, witness the Royal Trophy live and cheer our Asian Team to victory," concluded Liang Wen-chong.
Liang Wen-chong joins Asia’s highest ranked professional golfer, Hideki Matsuyama, and Korean match-play maestro K.T. Kim as the first three players nominated for the Asian Team.
"The China Golf Association is delighted with and fully supports the appointment of Zhang Lian-wei as Vice-Captain and Liang Wen-chong as Member of the Asian Team for the seventh edition of the Royal Trophy," stated Zhang Xiaoning, Director General of the Multi-Ball Games Administrative Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and Vice President and Secretary General of the China Golf Association.
"We are very pleased with the featuring of a strong contingent of Chinese players in the Asian Team; something we have and continue to highly recommend and encourage.
"These are two outstanding representatives of Chinese athletes. Their participation will certainly attract even greater public attendance at the Event and further promote the popularisation and development of golf in China. Zhang Lian-wei and Liang Wen-chong are remarkable professional players and they will represent the People’s Republic of China with great sportsmanship, determination and commitment to win honours for China and Asia.
"It is with great enthusiasm that we look forward to the seventh edition of the Royal Trophy being held in China and attach great importance to this traditional championship. The China Golf Association fully supports this great competition and its successful hosting in China,” concluded Zhang Xiaoning.