China's Zhang Lian-wei jets in for Volvo Masters

China's Zhang Lian-wei jets in for Volvo Masters

KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): China's Zhang Lian-wei has returned
from the European Tour in an attempt to win the Volvo Masters of
Malaysia for the third year in a row.

The tournament, which this year is making its debut on the
Asian PGA's Omega Tour, is being played at Kelab Golf Sultan
Abdul Aziz Shah and boasts prize money of US$200,000.

Two weeks ago Zhang was in Spain for the season-ending Volvo
Masters at Montecastillo Golf Club, one of nine European Tour
events he played in 1997, where he placed joint 32nd. He went
home to Shenzhen last week for a break before setting his sights
on the Volvo Masters of Malaysia.

"I am learning a lot by playing in Europe," said Zhang, " but
I am Asian and it is important for me to keep playing in Asia. It
feels good to come back to my part of the world. Next year will
be another busy year but I will also be playing a lot of golf in
Asia."

Zhang's bid for a third consecutive Volvo Masters will be
hampered by a nagging cold caused by the climate changes he has
been through over recent weeks.

"I am feeling tired and I have a bit of a cold," said Zhang.
"I played badly in the pro-am today. I am a little weak but I am
sure when the tournament starts I will be concentrating and will
forget about my cold," Zhang said.

The last time Zhang was in Malaysia was for the Mild Seven
Kuala Lumpur Open at the end of September. He placed joint second
in that event, behind Korean-American Charlie Wi, after
successfully negotiating the haze that was smothering the city.

The haze has dispersed for the Volvo Masters and been replaced
with sunshine and afternoon showers which have created hot and
humid conditions.

A win for Zhang will also mark his tenth win as a
professional. In a brilliant three year professional career the
32-year-old has won the Volvo Masters of Malaysia and Thailand
twice, the Volvo Matchplay Championship, three 36 hole titles on
the Volvo China Tour and the China Closed Championship.

One of the main threats to Zhang is likely to come from
India's Jeev Milkha Singh who is closing in on the Omega Order of
Merit crown.

A win this week, worth $32,200, will allow Singh to move into
the top position on the Merit list. Singh is currently second
with winnings of $103,366 behind American Mike Cunning who leads
on $133,849.

Cunning is not playing in the Volvo Masters as he is competing
in the second stage of the U.S. PGA Tour Qualifying School. Four
more 72-hole strokeplay events remain on the Omega Tour after the
Volvo Masters of Malaysia.