Liang Leads Asian Invasion In Coolum

Sunshine Coast, December 10, 2010 - Asian players on OneAsia have finished well in Queensland today as they challenge Australia's finest for the coveted Kirkwood Cup at the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola this week.

This is OneAsia's second year in Coolum and despite what are considered difficult conditions to the Asian style of playing, China's No. 1 Liang Wenchong has quickly adapted, leading the Asian contingent of players who have climbed up the leaderboard.

Liang shot a four-under 68 to share joint-second with Australia's John Senden in a bogey-free round that has left him with a ten-under finish, one shot behind 25-year-old American Bobby Gates who posted a 69.

The 32-year-old Zhongshan farmer-turned-golf pro has enjoyed his first two rounds, playing alongside defending champion Robert Allenby and colourful PGA Tour star John Daly.

"These two rounds have been good," Liang said. "My putting was better yesterday so I had more birdies but I am satisfied with my results today. I feel more comfortable on the course and I had no bogeys today. I hope to give the competition my best this weekend and have a good finish.

Liang is full of admiration for his Australian group mate Allenby, a three-time winner of this tournament.

"Robert didn't do too well yesterday but has performed very well under pressure today," he said. "He is a great player as he concentrates on his own game. I hope we will be in the same group again on the final day, to compete for the championship cup."

Korea's Jung Ji-ho shares 9th with three other Australian players including Allenby. He posted a 67 on the water hazard-laden course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, with a six-under finish after the round.

Jung has had a slew of good finishes on the Korean Tour and is currently ranked 27th on its money list. He has played regularly on OneAsia this year, taking advantage of the increased number of earning opportunities provided across the Asia Pacific region.

"The game was not easy today but my short game helped me with a good final score," said Jung. "I had to concentrate on my putting strategically as my swing has not been feeling good. Luckily that worked out well."

"I'm happy to have managed a good score today and being the leading Korean is encouraging me to play harder. I'll try to keep up the fight till the end for Korea."

Akio Sadakata of Japan is also on track for a good result at five-under after two rounds, sharing 13th alongside the likes of Geoff Ogilvy and Rod Pampling. The Osaka-based professional is playing his first OneAsia tournament this week with a "it's never too late" attitude, and was drawn down under by the prospect of a summertime multi-cultural experience.

"It is good to know other cultures and to play with leading players from around the region," he said. "If I have to chance, I will definitely play more OneAsia tournaments next year for this experience."

Other OneAsia players who will play into the weekend include Gu Cuilin and CJ Gatto of the China Tour, Lee In-woo, Choi Joon-woo and Son Joon-eob of the Korean Tour, Hiroshi Iwata and Tetsuya Haraguchi of the Japan Tour, Panuphol Pittayarat, Borworn Chaisri and Pornpong Phatlum of the South East Asian Mercedes-Benz Tour, and Simon Yates of the Asian Tour.

The cut was made at even par with Adam Scott and John Daly among the big names to miss out on a weekend spot.