Liang stays ahead at China Challenge after birdie
Source: Agencies |
October 14, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
LIANG Wenchong thrilled his fans at Red Flag Valley in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, by sinking a long, breaking birdie putt on the 11th hole of the Shui On Land China Golf Challenge to stay ahead after day four of the week-long, seven-city tournament.
Following a trio of holes at the stunning 36-hole golf resort, which celebrated its grand opening in the morning, the Chinese No. 1 was 2-under-par and one clear of world No. 2 Lee Westwood and fellow Englishman Ian Poulter in the unique 18-hole event.
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy fell further back as the US Open champion again found trouble to lie 7-over, but the lively banter and camaraderie continued as the tournament flew past the halfway mark of its tour of China.
Liang, Westwood and Poulter were tied going to the day's last hole, an uphill par-4, where the Zhongshan native took the lead with a slow, creeping putt that broke dramatically from left to right before eventually dropping to the delight of the player and large crowd.
"The putt was a bit hilly and breaking, so I just concentrated on getting the right line. I was really happy when it went in and I just hope I can keep playing well in Chongqing," said Liang, 33, adding that the three holes over the Red Flag Valley's hilly Dragon and Unicorn layouts presented the week's toughest on-course challenge so far.
McIlroy's dramatic tour of China continued when he recorded a double-bogey six at the 10th hole, flying out of a bunker over the green and into a steep bank.
Climbing up through the rough, the 22-year-old chipped onto the green but smiled ruefully as his ball trickled over the far side and into the same sand trap, from where he got up and down for what Poulter cheekily described as "an impressive six".
From Dalian, the players were to take late-night flights to Chongqing, where they will play three holes at Sun Kingdom Golf Club today.
Following a trio of holes at the stunning 36-hole golf resort, which celebrated its grand opening in the morning, the Chinese No. 1 was 2-under-par and one clear of world No. 2 Lee Westwood and fellow Englishman Ian Poulter in the unique 18-hole event.
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy fell further back as the US Open champion again found trouble to lie 7-over, but the lively banter and camaraderie continued as the tournament flew past the halfway mark of its tour of China.
Liang, Westwood and Poulter were tied going to the day's last hole, an uphill par-4, where the Zhongshan native took the lead with a slow, creeping putt that broke dramatically from left to right before eventually dropping to the delight of the player and large crowd.
"The putt was a bit hilly and breaking, so I just concentrated on getting the right line. I was really happy when it went in and I just hope I can keep playing well in Chongqing," said Liang, 33, adding that the three holes over the Red Flag Valley's hilly Dragon and Unicorn layouts presented the week's toughest on-course challenge so far.
McIlroy's dramatic tour of China continued when he recorded a double-bogey six at the 10th hole, flying out of a bunker over the green and into a steep bank.
Climbing up through the rough, the 22-year-old chipped onto the green but smiled ruefully as his ball trickled over the far side and into the same sand trap, from where he got up and down for what Poulter cheekily described as "an impressive six".
From Dalian, the players were to take late-night flights to Chongqing, where they will play three holes at Sun Kingdom Golf Club today.
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