China's top two stars, Liang Wenchong and Zhang Lianwei, have failed to deliver in four World Cups, the last three on home soil at Mission Hills. But confidence is not lacking as the pair set about creating a new 'team mentality' with a view to the 2016 Olympics, where golf will debut at the Rio Games.
'This is the first World Cup since golf has been voted into the 2016 Olympics and it means a lot for China to be able to play as a team,' said Liang, who is in a purple patch of form, winning nearly Euro500,000 (HK5.8 million) in the past four weeks. Liang, 31, will more than likely still be blazing a trail for China in seven years, but Zhang, 44, may then have handed over to one of the younger generation, who are still taking their time to emerge.
'We have to provide an example for the younger players, to set a goal for the Olympics,' Liang said. 'And that means playing as a team. Hopefully, we will see a lot of good teams in China in the future for the Olympics.'
Liang and Zhang probably know each other better than any of the other 27 teams competing at the US$5.5 million Omega Mission Hills World Cup, starting today.
They are the pioneers of Chinese golf, with first Zhang and now Liang excelling on the world stage. Liang, runner-up in this year's Asian Tour Order of Merit, has had a successful month, starting with a second place at the Barclays Singapore Open, 40th at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, a tie for 11th at the UBS Hong Kong Open and a tie for 16th at the Dubai World Championships last week.
Sergio Garcia, captain of favourites Spain, may not have mentioned China in his list of teams he considered dangers yesterday - all Europeans by the way - but Liang and Zhang have everything in their favour, especially the home advantage which they have failed to exploit in the past.
