(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-01-09 09:28

Asia's No 1 golfer Liang Wenchong will launch his 2008 campaign in Hawaii this week with every intention of pushing himself to the forefront of world golf this season.

China's Liang Wenchong tees-off during the final round of the Volvo Masters of Asia golf tournament in Bangkok in this December 9, 2007 file photo. Liang clinched China's first Asian Tour order of merit title after finishing top of the money list at the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia on Sunday. [Agencies]

Liang, the first Chinese player to lift the Asian Tour's Order of Merit crown after a stellar season last year, will compete in the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu starting on Thursday.

The tenacious 29-year-old was invited to the US PGA Tour event based on his newly attained status as the region's top player. He will try to pick up from where he left off last year.

In 2007, Liang won once in Singapore and registered eight other top-10 finishes. But he knows that he cannot rest on his laurels in his quest for more success.

"2007 has past and I'm looking ahead toward the new year," said the Zhongshan-based golfer.

"I took only a short break after our final event in December and I've been practicing hard at home."

Liang's goals are straightforward this year: He hopes to win his second career title and to qualify for the Masters Tournament by breaking into the world's top 50 before April.

"I'm still unclear about my full playing schedule. However, I plan to cut down on the number of tournaments that I will play as I've played in over 30 events for the last three years.

"I need to plan more carefully and ensure that I have enough breaks in between tournaments, but I'll certainly play on the Asian Tour and in Europe," he said.

Staying true to his word, this week's US jaunt will be his only tournament for the month. He will resist the temptation of playing in the Middle East events later in the month, instead opting to stay home to work on his game, which he says needs "improvement in every aspect".

Liang, voted by his peers as the Players' Player of the Year last month, will resume his travels on the Asian Tour in February where he will head to Indonesia before proceeding to India and Malaysia hoping to improve his world No 87 ranking.

He is dreaming of breaking into the top 50 and qualifying for the Masters Tournament, the year's first major, and following in the footsteps of his mentor and close friend Zhang Lianwei, who played in the Augusta National in 2004 after receiving a special invite.

"That's one of my goals, to try and qualify for the Masters," said Liang, who is already assured a spot in the British Open in July following his Order of Merit success.

"I will need to play really well in the early-season events to improve my world ranking.

"I would certainly like to win again this year but I'll take it step by step. If things go well, I plan to try the US Qualifying School. Playing in America would be the next step in my career," he added.