Howell to headline Macau tournament
European Ryder Cup star David Howell is expected to go head to head with China's leading duo Liang Wenchong and Zhang Lianwei during next month's US$300,000 Macau Open.
Englishman Howell will headline the small but popular leg of the Asian Tour at the Macau Golf and Country Club from May 17 to 22.
He is likely to face a stiff challenge from China number one Liang, who is second on the tour's UBS Order of Merit, and two-time Macau Open champion Zhang.
It is understood organisers in Macau - who will today officially announce the participation of Howell, a two-time European Ryder Cup-winning player (2004 and 2006) - are attempting to get both regular visitors Liang and Zhang.
World number 24 Howell , meanwhile, is coming back from a slump, having battled shoulder and back problems over the past year.
'His presence will boost the tournament and make it more interesting. We have had a number of big-name players in the past, and David Howell will certainly add his name to it,' said a spokesman for the Macau Open. Former winners include Scot Colin Montgomerie.
Last year, a rain-hit tournament was won by Australian Kane Webber, who came from three shots behind to lift the title ahead of compatriot Scott Barr.
