Liang first Chinese player to break the million-dollar mark
China's first million-dollar man, Liang Wenchong, wants another record - to become the first Chinese player to be number one in Asia.
'I am hoping to challenge for the UBS Order of Merit title, that's why I played in Korea,' said Liang, after his runner-up finish at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open at the weekend ensured he surpassed the US$1 million mark in career earnings.
'I would like to win this award.'
Liang, 28, is in second place and a mere US$4,223 behind Anton Haig of South Africa on the order of merit after 13 tournaments this season. Liang became the 12th player to join the million-dollar club in Asia, with Thai star Thongchai Jaidee topping the career money list with US$2.4 million.
After earning US$80,645 on Sunday, Liang raised his career tally to US$1.02 million in a professional career which started in 2000, beating mentor and idol Zhang Lianwei to the accolade. Zhang, long regarded as China's trailblazer and a five-time winner in Asia, is US$672 short of joining the million-dollar club, which he can achieve by making the cut at next week's Macau Open, an event he has won twice previously. The US$300,000 Macau event is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Liang claimed a maiden title at the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters in March and he has now posted five other top-10s to raise his season's winnings to US$423,462. Haig, winner of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Phuket, leads with US$427,685. Liang also intends to play in Europe and Japan. 'I'm taking this week off and will then play in Europe,' said Liang. 'However, I will try to play in a few more Asian Tour tournaments to try to win the order of merit. It will be especially important to play well in big events at the end of the season.'
In the money
Liang's total career earnings in millions of US$ 1.02
