新浪体育讯　In its short history the TCL Classic has indeed produced some “classic” moments – on and off the course.

　　Four years ago, the inaugural tournament – sanctioned by the Asian Tour and China Golf Association – gave Colin Montgomerie his first-ever Asian title after the Scot won an enthralling duel with Thai star Thongchai Jaidee.

　　That same year saw rising Chinese star Liang Wen Chong announce himself on the world stage with a hole-in-one during the second round on his way to finishing third, ahead of big names like Michael Campbell and Bob May.

　　In 2005, with the event now co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours, Englishman Paul Casey emerged victorious after one of the most thrilling Sundays of the season, sinking a birdie putt on the second playoff hole to beat Ireland’s Paul McGinley.

　　Casey’s win came in a year that an unprecedented 23 Chinese golfers took part. Not only that, but five of them made the cut, the highest number of Chinese players ever to feature in weekend play at a European Tour event.

　　The TCL Classic has made history off the course as well.

　　In 2002, it was the first professional golf tour event in China to offer a US$1 million prize purse.

　　And, last year, with the European Tour on board, TCL became the first Chinese brand to be title sponsor of a European Tour event.

　　With so much history being made in such a short space of time, it is little wonder Chinese fans are looking forward to the 2006 TCL Classic, to be staged at picturesque Yalong Bay Golf Club in Sanya, Hainan on March 16-19.

　　The tournament – once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours and promoted by Parallel Media Asia – will feature Chinese No.1 Zhang Lian Wei attempting to win on home soil.

　　Zhang has already tasted success on the European Tour – at the 2003 Singapore Masters – but victory in front of his adoring fans would rank as the highlight of his career.

　　Liang, too, will be back, seeking to add to his growing reputation.

　　The Chinese pair will face a strong field of top-class players from the European and Asian Tours.

　　Montgomerie’s success in 2002, at Harbour Plaza Golf Club in Dongguan, came after a see-saw struggle with Thongchai.

　　The Ryder Cup ace shot a flawless final round of five-under 67 to finish on 16-under for the tournament, two shots clear of his Thai rival.

　　It was Montgomerie’s second title in as many weeks – he’d shared top honours with Bernhard Langer at the Volvo Masters Andalucia – but his first in Asia.

　　“It shows to my peers that I'm still there, that I've not gone away and I'm still competitive at the highest level," said the elated winner.

　　“It's nice to show that. I was very tired coming over here from Spain. To get to China is not the easiest route and all credit to my caddie and myself for lasting the course."

　　Montgomerie had been two clear at the 10th before Thongchai – the overnight leader – stormed back with birdies on 14 and 15.

　　But the Thai star three-putted the next hole for bogey and dropped another shot at the last.

　　“I really enjoyed playing with Colin," he said later. "It was a great experience, so I’m not too disappointed."

　　If that final round was close, then the 2005 climax at Yalong Bay was an epic.

　　Casey appeared to be heading for victory in the regulation four rounds before McGinley, his Ryder Cup teammate, produced a stunning 63 that included five consecutive birdies on the back nine.

　　That left the pair tied on 22-under, just one shot ahead of Denmark’s Thomas Björn, Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand and Korean Kang Wook Soon in joint third, with Montgomerie a further stroke adrift in outright sixth.

　　After having putts for the win at both the last hole of regulation play and the first playoff hole, the 27-year-old Casey found the heart of the cup with a spectacular 25-foot birdie effort on the second extra hole.

　　“It’s very satisfying to have won again,” said an elated Casey. “I feel like I put in a lot of work in the off-season and it’s also nice after having a back injury earlier in the year to come out play some decent golf. In fact, I played some very good golf.”

　　McGinley, like Thongchai before him, was a gracious runner-up. I gave it my best shot, but it wasn’t meant to be,” he said. “Perhaps it was just Paul’s turn.”

　　It was a fitting climax to four days of magnificent entertainment and demonstrated that the TCL Classic had truly cemented its status on the European and Asian golf scene.

　　The thrills of previous years have set the scene for next month at Yalong Bay. Chinese fans are sure to witness some more “classic” moments.