Veteran Zhang Lianwei will be the lone golfer from the mainland in the 144-strong field who tee off today at the revived Macau Open - despite the Asian Tour having handed out special invitations to mainlanders.
The former China number one, winner of the Macau Open in 2001 and '02, admitted he was disappointed by the absence of his compatriots, who have cold-shouldered the US$750,000 event, which is making a comeback at the picturesque Macau Golf and Country Club after a one-year break. 'I would have loved to have seen more players from China playing here this week,' Zhang said yesterday. 'I always love coming to Macau and I will do my best to carry the flag.'
Zhang intimated that it was the ongoing rivalry between the Asian Tour, which the Macau Open is part of, and OneAsia which was the main reason behind the boycott.
The China Golf Association's affiliation with OneAsia is widely seen as the rationale for mainland golfers staying away.
'Maybe it is because of OneAsia, although I would like to think it is also because of the scheduling,' Zhang said. 'I have played on OneAsia events this year but also on the Asian Tour.'
The 46-year-old Zhang's appearance in Macau is courtesy of his qualifying exemption for being in the career money top 20.
Though also a member of the Asian Tour this year, he doesn't figure prominently on the prize money list.