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Zhang leads local charge at Shanghai tournament

Zhang Lianwei of China tees off yestersday at the 17th hole during round two of the BMW Asian Open tournament at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club in Shanghai, China. PHOTO: AP

Veteran Zhang Lianwei led a Chinese charge at the BMW Asian Open yesterday to take a share of the lead with Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen, as a host of big names fell victim to strong winds.

Zhang sunk a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th to card a three-under 69 and match Derksen, who fired the same score earlier in the day, at five under.

“I am very happy with these conditions, I normally hit the ball quite low so I am quite pleased when it is windy,” said Zhang, 42, who became the first Chinese player to win on the European Tour with a victory in Singapore in 2003.

Derksen, who has not won a tournament for three years, was happy with his play which has given him a chance of taking home the US$383,000 winner’s cheque.

“They were very difficult conditions but I hung in there so I am pleased to be leading,” he said.

At four under and in outright third place a shot behind the pair was Irishman Darren Clarke, who also shot a 69.

Overnight leader Peter O’Malley from Australia was at three under after following his opening round of 67 with a 74, and shared fourth position with Englishman Miles Tunicliffe who shot a 70 yesterday.

Henrik Stenson, the world No. 13 and the top ranked player in Shanghai, was one of the many marquee players to succumb to the heavy winds that made life extra tough on the already tight Tomson Pudong Shanghai Golf Course.

Stenson began the day at four under, but carded a 76 to leave himself at even par for the tournament.

Indian Jeev Milkha Singh, who finished 25th at the Masters two weeks ago, was also at four under at the start of the day and suffered exactly the same fate as Stenson.

While Zhang fired three birdies on the back nine to provide much excitement for the spectators, 18-year-old Chinese amateur Hu Mu created extra buzz with a round of 69 to place himself inside the top 10 going into the weekend.

Hu, who is based in the US and coached by swing guru David Leadbetter, was at two under, alongside yet another Chinese player, last year’s Asian Order of Merit winner Liang Wenchong.

Hu is regarded as the future of Chinese golf, and he showed the spectators exactly why yesterday with five birdies in the very tough conditions.

Three players in the top 10 offers China a tantalizing prospect of keeping the BMW Asian Open trophy at home for the first time.

No Asian has yet won the event, which is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian tours.

One of the main dangers for the Chinese contingent is two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa, who worked his way calmly around the course yesterday for a 70 to be placed at two under alongside Hu and Liang.

New Zealand’s Mark Brown, this season’s Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, was also at two under after playing the round of the day, a five-under 67 that included a stretch of seven birdies in eight holes.
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