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| Liang Wenchong © Gallo Images |
Chinese star Liang Wenchong plans to reignite his season with a
strong showing at the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open starting on
Thursday, but standing in his way is home hero Ryo Ishikawa.
Liang, the Asian Tour number one in 2007, has endured a quiet
spell but is psyching himself up for a string of lucrative
season-ending events starting with this week's 1.5 million dollar
showpiece at Joyo Country Club.
The Panasonic Open, jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and
Japan Golf Tour, will see Japan's hottest star Ishikawa
spearheading the local charge and searching for his fourth win this
season.
Also in the fray are American Anthony Kang and India's Jyoti
Randhawa, South Korea's Bae Sang-Moon and Japan's top stars Shingo
Katayama, Yuta Ikeda and title holder Hideto Tanihara.
"I've been trying to get my overall game better the past few
months and keeping my focus on the big events," said Liang.
"The game feels pretty good and I hope to have a good feel with
my short game this week.
"I've not played as much as I would have liked to but there are
many big tournaments coming up. I'll be trying my best to achieve
success from now onwards."
Having turned 18 just a week ago, the supremely talented
Ishikawa will be the man to beat.
He has risen to top spot in Japan's money race and was recently
picked by Greg Norman to play for the International Team in next
month's Presidents Cup.
"This course goes up and down on many of the holes and it's very
similar to the Yomiuri Country Club where I won the Mizuno Open
earlier this year," said Ishikawa.
"So many good things have happened this year. I'm just trying to
keep myself on an even keel, not be too excited and just be
myself."
Ishikawa has added impetus to taste victory again as it will
allow him to take up membership with the Asian Tour, which will
give him access to many tournaments across the region.
"This week's tournament is the only chance that I can achieve my
Asian Tour membership," he said.
"It's a great motivation for me and I'll try to win this week."
While Ishikawa is undoubtedly one of Japan's most eligible
bachelors, Thailand's Chapchai Nirat gave up his single status on
Sunday and hopes that marital bliss will spark him to another
victory.
The 26-year-old, a three-time winner on the Asian Tour, tied the
knot over the weekend but rather than go on a honeymoon, he headed
straight to Kyoto.
"I've put off the honeymoon till December," said the man
nicknamed "King Kong" for his long-driving abilities.
"There are many big tournaments coming up towards the end of the
year and I want to be ready for them."
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