European Tour Member Lian-Wei Zhang, the defending champion in this week's Caltex Masters, presented by Carlsberg, Singapore 2004, will become the first Chinese golfer to play in the Masters Tournament and in a Major Championship next month after having received an invitation to compete at Augusta National.
Zhang, who will also be the defending champion in the Volvo China Open in November - the first counting event on the 2005 Volvo Order of Merit - admitted that he was thrilled when the news of his invitation was given to him.
“I am proud to be the first Chinese player to compete in the Masters and I would like to thank Augusta National for their support,” said the 38 year old, who pipped Ernie Els at Laguna National Golf & Country Club 12 months ago to win the 2003 Caltex Masters title.
“I've watched the Masters on television in the past and now I am actually going to play in it - I am already looking forward to it. This will be good for golf in China and Asia. To be the first Chinese player in a Major will be great as hopefully it will encourage more youngsters to take up the game in the country."
Masters Tournament Chairman Hootie Johnson said: “Lian-Wei Zhang has proved his ability on The European Tour and in Asia. We are excited to have an outstanding representative from China in our field.”
