久久亚洲国产成人影院-久久亚洲国产的中文-久久亚洲国产高清-久久亚洲国产精品-亚洲图片偷拍自拍-亚洲图色视频

  Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

Zhang puts China on world golf skyline
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-12-14 10:10

It was a small step for Zhang Lianwei but a giant leap for Chinese professional golf.

The 39-year-old, a self-taught player who turned professional in 1994, made history by becoming the first Chinese player to compete in the US Masters at Augusta last April.


Zhang Lianwei hits a birdie putt during the 2003 Volvo China Open in Shanghai Dec. 16, 2003. Zhang finished four day total of 11-under-par to win the China Open trophy. [Xinhua/file]

Zhang, then ranked 181st in the world, received a special invitation from Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson.

"We felt that it was good for the game of golf to extend a hand to the most populous nation in the world," Johnson said. "He is a good golfer, and we thought it was entirely appropriate."

Although he shot 77-72 and missed the cut by one shot, his presence in the world's most famous course showed that China, who has already been one of the superpowers in the Olympic sports, is catching up in golf.

"For me it was a dream come true," Zhang said. "For China this is only the beginning."

"Young players in China will improve and one day reach a higher level. There are a lot of kids starting to play in China and when they see this on television it will help golf in China."

"Playing at the US Masters was a great experience and I've learned from it," Zhang said. "Standing on the first tee in the opening round, my legs were trembling as I was so nervous. It took me a while to settle down and find my rhythm."

Zhang last year became the first Chinese golfer to win a European PGA Tour event. He clinched the Singapore Masters by a stroke from South Africa's Ernie Els.

Golf in China has only developed in the past 20 years. In just 20 years, to put someone in the Masters is something the country is all proud of.

"There's a little bit of pressure knowing the whole country is on my back. People in China know it's the most prestigious golf event in the world. People in China see the course on TV but it's very different to be here," said Zhang.

Zhang was introduced to the game when he was a javelin thrower at high school and was asked to work as a caddie for a Japanese man.

He rose to fame when he humbled Colin Montgomerie of the United States in the Dunhill Cup nations event in 1998. He was the fourth player to receive a special invitation since the US Masters changed its criteria five years ago to rely more heavily on the world ranking.

Zhang also captured the China Open, his fifth win in Asian, last year, and finished runner-up on the 2003 Order of Merit.

But except the historical debut in the US Master, Zhang achieved far less in 2004 than what he did last year.

He failed to retain titles in the Singapore Masters and China Open and ended the year without a title. He said it was because he had spent more time with his wife and their newly-born son.

"I will be 40 years next year, for a golfer, it's not an old age. I hope to win something next year."

And after that?

"I hope to design my own golf course and have my own golf school," he said. "I want to see more Chinese golfers in the professional circuit."



 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

Sino-Russian joint military drill planned

 

   
 

Country to set up new nuke tech company

 

   
 

Control on SOEs to be tighter to avoid risk

 

   
 

Embassy: No decision made on Japanese aid

 

   
 

36 still trapped in mine, rescue goes on

 

   
 

Beijing readies for coming job strains

 

   
  Shevchenko named European footballer of the year
   
  Yao Ming signs TAG Heuer as brand ambassador
   
  Zhang puts China on world golf skyline
   
  Tiger Woods wins Target World Challenge
   
  Pacers sign forward Michael Curry
   
  Andy Roddick fires coach Brad Gilbert
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Advertisement
         
主站蜘蛛池模板: 综合558欧美成人永久网站 | 亚洲精品一区二区三区中文字幕 | 成人国产精品免费视频 | 两性午夜视频 | 日本黄页网站在线观看 | 91精品免费国产高清在线 | 亚洲国产欧美在线不卡中文 | 欧美一级欧美三级在线观看 | 久久久亚洲精品蜜桃臀 | 中文字幕在线观看91 | 日韩精品一区二区三区不卡 | 国产91精品在线 | 成人三级在线观看 | 国产孕妇做受视频在线观看 | 久草新| 亚洲视频黄 | 成人男女啪啪免费观看网站 | 日本欧美一区二区三区高清 | 99国产精品热久久久久久夜夜嗨 | 一区二区三区影视 | 欧美视频久久 | 成人免费的性色视频 | 美女黄色在线网站大全 | 成人爽爽大片在线观看 | 日本视频播放免费线上观看 | 久久久久久91香蕉国产 | 在线视频一区二区三区在线播放 | 欧美xxxxxxxxxxxxx| 免费一级毛片免费播放 | 福利91| 伊人午夜 | 欧美一级www片免费观看 | 中文在线com | 国产免费人成在线看视频 | 男人精品一线视频在线观看 | 成人五级毛片免费播放 | 欧美国产日韩在线播放 | 国产精品成人一区二区不卡 | 国产亚洲人成a在线v网站 | 全部免费国产潢色一级 | 俄罗斯三级毛片 |