(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-15 09:57

China's Liang Wenchong left Augusta National bettered but not beaten as he promised to make a quick return to the prestigious Masters Tournament.

The Asian Tour No 1 missed the halfway cut at the year's opening major with rounds of 76 and 78, as he failed to cope with the high demands of the fabled Augusta National course.

"I would like to come back one day," Liang said. "This is a special tournament and I want to thank Augusta National again for the invitation. This experience has taught me there is more to learn. I'll try to improve on my world ranking to come back here."

The Chinese star was hoping to perform well after finishing tied for 12th at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans, a US PGA Tour event two weeks ago. But his A-game failed him when he needed it most at the Masters, which saw some of the world's best players including Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald miss the weekend cut.

Liang's caddie Kunihito Auyama said he didn't play as well as he could: "It was as though I was carrying someone else's bag this week, not Liang Wenchong's."

The 29-year-old Liang will look ahead to the Volvo China Open this week and the BMW Asian Open next week. But he will not forget the lessons he learned in his Masters debut.

"Overall, this was a good learning experience. There were good things and bad things in my play," Liang said.

"It was especially good to play in front of big crowds and be able to learn and react to my emotions. The golf course was difficult and I learned that there are certain areas of my game that I need to improve on.

"There was this invisible pressure that got me. You need to be at your best under these circumstances."

With Liang set to make more major history when he becomes the first Chinese player to tee off at the British Open in July - courtesy of his Asian Tour Order of Merit success last season - he is looking forward to rubbing shoulders with the world's best again.

"I think this will be good preparation for the British Open," said Liang, who will play in the European Open and Barclays Scottish Open ahead of the year's third major in the summer.

Craving a China Open title

Liang is dreaming of lifting the China Open title, which begins on Thursday at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club. He has said victory would be akin to winning an Olympic gold medal.

With the Chinese capital getting ready to host the Olympic Games for the first time in August, Liang believes a home victory will get fans ready for an unprecedented season of sports.

"The Volvo China Open is our national Open, almost like the Olympics of golf in China," Liang said.

"Every player dreams of winning their national Open, and with China hosting the Olympic Games this year, winning the title on home soil will be like winning the Olympic gold medal too."

With the China Open being the first golf event in China this season, Liang is looking forward to performing in front of his fans.

"It's always good to be back in China and it means a lot for me to do well in front of my fans. Hopefully, I can play some good golf and make the fans proud," Liang said.

Liang enjoyed the best season of his career in 2007 with one victory at the Singapore Masters and eight other top-10 finishes to win the Asian Tour's Order of Merit title.

His exploits on the Asian Tour have drawn plenty of attention in the golf world and many believe he will spearhead the next generation of golfers from the mainland.

"I'm happy that I'm able to put China on the world map with my achievements so far. But I also think that the development of golf does not depend entirely on one player," Liang said.

"It is the combined efforts of everyone who plays well in tournaments that will help spread the game," added the star, who has donated all of his Singapore winnings toward the development of golf in China.