新浪体育讯　Zhang Lian Wei will aim to enter the record books at next month’s TCL Classic – by becoming the first Chinese player to win a European Tour title on home turf.

　　China’s No.1 – who will face a stiff challenge from a star-studded field that will include compatriot Liang Wen Chong – is relishing the chance to ma

ke history.

　　“I’m really looking forward to the TCL Classic,” said Zhang who, together with Liang, attended a tournament press conference today in Shenzhen, China.

　　“I’ve won before in Shanghai and Macau, but they were solely Asian Tour events. The TCL Classic is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours and is a prestigious tournament.

　　“It will be tough, because I know there will be a top-class field taking part, but I know I can count on the support of the home fans. I really hope I can give them something to cheer.”

　　Zhang, 40, already has a string of “firsts” to his name: the first mainland Chinese to win a European Tour event (the 2003 Singapore Masters), the first from his country to play in the US Masters at Augusta, and the first to beat world-class players in match play.

　　But victory in front of his home fans in the TCL Classic, to be played at picturesque Yalong Bay Golf Club in Sanya, Hainan on March 16-19, would surely rank as the highlight of his career.

　　Liang, considered one of the Asian Tour’s rising stars, turned professional after winning the China Amateur Open three times in a row from 1996-98 and finishing joint fourth at the 1999 China Open as an amateur.

　　He enjoyed a consistent 2005 with three top-10 finishes and was a member of the winning Asian team in the Dynasty Cup against Japan.

　　The TCL Classic was first played in 2002, when Scottish great Colin Montgomerie edged out Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee for his first title in Asia, and has since become one of the highlights of the European and Asian Tour schedules.

　　The event – promoted by Parallel Media Asia – is also notable for the fact it made TCL the first Chinese company ever to sponsor a European Tour event.

　　“We are all looking forward to what promises to be another memorable TCL Classic,” said Wang Kangping, Vice President of TCL Corporation.

　　“TCL is delighted to once again be title sponsor of this prestigious tournament, one of the most important annual sporting events in China.

　　“We will welcome another top-class field to Yalong Bay next month and we are sure Zhang Lian Wei and Liang Wen Chong will fly the flag proudly for China. More star players will be announced in the buildup to the tournament.”

　　Last year’s tournament was, indeed, a “classic”, with England’s Paul Casey beating Irishman Paul McGinley on the second playoff hole after an epic final-day duel.

　　The 2005 event was also notable for its 23-strong contingent of Chinese players – a feature that is set to continue this year.

　　“One of the objectives of the TCL Classic is to provide a platform upon which talented homegrown players can pit their skills against world class golfers,” said Zhang Xiao Ning, vice-chairman of the China Golf Association.

　　“The CGA and TCL have been working together to ensure that, once again, a high number of exemption slots will be made available to local golfers.”

　　The venue for the TCL Classic, Hainan Island, is known as the “Jewel of the South China Sea” due to its tropical weather and natural beauty. The resort city of Sanya is considered the hottest tourist spot in China and a golfer’s paradise.

　　ENDS

　　About Parallel Media Asia

　　PMA is the biggest golf promoter in Asia and currently stages five highly successful tournaments – the UBS Hong Kong Open, the Maybank Malaysian Open, the Singapore Masters, the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open and the TCL Classic in Hainan, China – all of which enjoy European Tour and Asian Tour co-sanctioning. Over the past five years, PMA has promoted a total of 21 events, all co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours, with total prize money in excess of US$20 million. PMA also staged the first World Cup of Golf to be held in Asia, at China’s Mission Hills in 1995, and staged another World Cup of Golf event in Kuala Lumpur in 1999.

　　Released on behalf of the TCL Classic by Two Up Front.

　　For further information about the TCL Classic, please contact:

　　Niall DonnellyBonnie Lam

　　Two Up FrontTwo Up Front

　　Tel: +852 2854 2136Tel: +852 2110 5890

　　Fax: +852 3579 5955Fax: +852 3579 5955

　　Email: niall@tuf.com.hkEmail: bonnie@tuf.com.hk