Chinese golfing pair eye Olympic glory
Liang and Wu would want nothing more than represent their country at the 2016 Rio Games
China's top two ranked golfers, Wu Ashun and Liang Wenchong, flew the flag proudly at the US$7 million BMW Masters yesterday - something they hope to do at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
As Swede Peter Hanson continued to set the pace in the elite 78-man field, albeit narrowly from Rory McIlroy, Wu put his name in lights with a hole in one during his three-under-par 69 to be in a tie for 24th place, along with Liang, who shot a 72.
"I would love to represent China at the Olympics," said Wu, who is ranked 207 in the world, thanks to a breakthrough victory on the Japan Tour last month.
Liang, 34, is back in business after nearly two years remodelling his swing and supporting team, and feels the best years are ahead of him as he also sets his sights on Rio.
"I feel I will be in my prime in the next five years," said 253rd-ranked Liang, who beat Y.E. Yang in a five-hole play-off thriller at the Nanshan Masters on the OneAsia Tour this month.
"If my ranking is within 300 in the world, I should be able to represent China in the 2016 Olympic Games.
"I feel younger now because my driver is going about 300 yards. It's not only the driver, I have also spent time in the gym working out. Everything is coming together.