Zhang, Bjorn primed for Volvo China Open
BY iseekgolf.com | Asian Tour | 2004 Volvo China Open | Preview | 24 Nov 2004
Home hero Zhang Lian-wei defends his US$1 million Volvo China Open crown at Shanghai Silport Golf Club on Thursday against a field led by a resurgent Thomas Bjorn.
As the championship celebrates an historic 10-year-old milestone by being jointly sanctioned for the first time by the Asian Tour and European Tour, the buzz in Shanghai is on Volvo’s grand vision where they hope to position the Volvo China Open as a world Major within the next decade.
The 39-year-old Zhang, who secured what he called a dream victory last year at the same venue, is carrying a hip injury and said he would not have played this week if it was a different event. “If this week was not the Volvo China Open, I would have taken a rest. Every country has its own Major and that is why I’m here. I will do my best. The injury is due to tiredness and fatigue. I feel a bit of pain on the follow through but I hope to do my best.”
Last night, Volvo’s president and CEO Mel Pyatt unveiled grand plans of further elevating the stature of the Volvo China Open, saying they were prepared to put in extra resources to drive the dream into a reality. “We want the Volvo China Open to become a Major on the world tour,” said Pyatt.
Zhang backed that dream. “It’s a 10-year milestone for the Volvo China Open, being jointly sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours this week. It is a tremendous recognition for the development of Chinese golf, it’s a new start for us. I’m confident (about being a Major), that’s a good direction for China golf. With our population and being the fastest growing economy, and the extraordinary development of the socialism system, I believe China has the potential to grow into the fifth Major in the world,” said Zhang, who is nicknamed Mr Volvo as he has won eight tournaments hosted by this week’s title sponsor.
The 33-year-old Bjorn looms as Zhang’s biggest threat. The former Ryder Cup star is enjoying his golf again after a mid-summer slump which saw him walk off the golf course in an Irish event. Last week, he produced a final round 64 and finished seventh in a tournament in Japan. "I’m playing some really good golf again and the rounds are coming down in good numbers. So I’m quite happy with the golf," said Bjorn, a seven-time winner on the European Tour.
“When you finish top 10 you are not far from winning, it’s a question of things going your way. I played the last three rounds in Japan as good as I can play. I have to say that there is nobody in his field that I can’t beat. I feel ready to go out and perform but in golf, the best player doesn’t always win. There are still enough good players who can win.”
Bjorn was also full of praise for the Silport layout, hosting its sixth straight Volvo China Open. “This is a very good golf course and it is a very good test. You really do have to play well, it’s not a short course. This is what we are looking for, to come to places like this to play golf.”
Amongst the contenders in the field include 1999 British Open champion Paul Lawrie, who hopes that a meeting with renowned mental guru Bob Rotella will break his own slump which saw him finish 140th on the European money ranking.
The Volvo China Open is the opening leg of the 2005 European Tour International Schedule and the 20th leg of this season’s Asian Tour.
“It’s my first time in China, I’ve played a few co-sanctioned events in the past and it’s good. Obviously it is a growing area as far as golf is concerned and I felt it was important to support the event,” said Lawrie.
Based on recommendations from world number eight Padraig Harrington, Lawrie sought Rotella in his bid to turn his game around. "This year was the first year that I didn’t work with anyone on a regular basis, psychology wise and I struggled with it a bit more than normal. I was over to see Bob for two days a few weeks ago and we had a great time and I enjoyed it. He gave me his new book which I’ve been reading a bit this week. The book is called “Golfers mind – play to play great.” When I read the book, I phoned him up and I said the whole book was basically me at the minute. He said everyone relates to certain pages. But the whole book, every page I read was me.
“The positive thing is that I’ve been there before, done it before, won the big tournaments. If you can do it once, you can do it again. It’s just a case of getting your head around. I’ve worked hard over the past four weeks with Adam Hunter (his swing coach) and had some rest as well, so I’m ready to go,” said Lawrie.
The Asian Tour’s top stars are also in Shanghai this week, minus current merit leader Thongchai Jaidee. This will allow second-ranked Simon Yates of Scotland and India’s Jyoti Randhawa, third on the money ranking, to narrow the gap at the top. "I’ve finished second and fifth here previously and aim to put in a good week. I’m a bit tired from my recent travels but I’ll give it a shot. Looking at my season, I can’t say I’m happy as I’ve not won. But I’ve a couple of events left for this year so my aim would be to try and break that duck," said Randhawa, Asia’s number one in 2002.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary, Volvo commissioned Waterford Wedgwood to produce a new trophy for the championship. Renowned Chinese sculptor Ren Jun based his design from a jade cup during the Qin Dynasty, the first of dynasties in the Middle Kingdom.
Source – Asian Tour
