Strange aims for Volvo China Open double
Asian Tour | 2010 Volvo China Open | Preview | 14 Apr 2010
New dad Scott Strange is hoping to shake off the rust from a delayed start to his season and mount a successful defence of his US$2.5 million Volvo China Open crown on OneAsia next week.
The wiry Australian finished joint seventh behind local hero Liang Wenchong in last week’s US$1 million Luxehills Chengdu Open, the opening event on OneAsia’s 2010 schedule, in just his second tournament of the year.
“I am still in the lead up (phase) to my year,” said Strange, the first OneAsia Order of Merit champion. “I have a hand injury and my daughter was born in January – I am starting my (golf) year now while most guys started in January. My game is not tip top.”
Strange aims to arrive at Jinji Lake International Golf Club, Suzhou, early next week to prepare for the tee-off to his title defence on April 15.
While most defending champions can look forward to the positive vibes of returning to a happy hunting ground, Strange won last year at a different venue – Beijing CBD International Golf Club – galloping through the field with a final round 68.
“I am looking forward to defending my title. But I won’t have the advantage of going back to the venue where I won – that is the thing about Open events, they (tend to) change the course every year,” he said. “I will get to the golf course Monday or Tuesday and have a look around and play my game from there.”
Strange is still suffering the effects of a hand injury picked up ahead of the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum last December after an over-exuberant handshake from an old friend.
“The right hand is still sore – I do not want to re-injure it so I try and avoid shaking hands with my right hand,” said the 33-year-old Strange. "I have tested it with some strength stuff and I have lost about 15 per cent in the right hand so you sort of compensate with your swing and you are not quite sure what is going to happen.
“Tough lies it is hard to dig the ball out as you need all the strength you have. Hand and knees do not fix themselves overnight, maybe in a couple of months it will be okay.”
Despite the injury, Strange went on to finish equal second behind countryman Robert Allenby in the Australian PGA Championship to clinch top spot on OneAsia’s Order of Merit for 2009.
Strange said that he would love to win the Volvo China Open for the second time as a present for his new daughter.
“I have been at home playing dad,” he said. “The kid was born on January 21 – during the European Tour’s desert swing (so I missed the start of the season). We have called her Meghan. Lucinda (his partner) and I wanted to have kids, it just worked out perfect timing.”
Liang Wenchong, who thrilled fans from his home country by emerging as winner at OneAsia’s season opener last week, harbours a keen desire to win his national Open.
“The Volvo China Open is the most important tournament to me. It is more important than all the Majors I have played,” said Liang. “You know, a country’s Open championship is the most important one to that country’s players. I will try my best to play my best in this tournament.”
The formidable line-up also includes US PGA Championship winner Yang Yong-eun, as well as 2010 Ryder Cup captains Colin Montgomerie (Europe) and Corey Pavin (USA).
The Volvo China Open, the second leg of OneAsia’s 11-event schedule in 2010, is co-sanctioned by the European Tour.
