Wenchong caps landmark day for Chinese golf

Mickelson & Wenchong Masterclass---WGC HSBC Champions

Local golfing hero Liang Wenchong capped a momentous day for golf in China by storming to a Top 20 finish in the $8.5 million WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

The 35-year-old from Zhongsan recorded a final round score of -6 to finish tied 15th in the star-studded event at Sheshan International Golf Club on the day that the China Golf Association and PGA TOUR announced a groundbreaking new golf tour in China.

The new China Tour-PGA TOUR China Series is designed to give Chinese golfers the opportunity to shine on the world stage and Wen-Chong led by example with a stirring finish on a dramatic last day. In "Asia's Major" he finished as the leading Asian competitor in a field containing more than 40 of the world's top 50 players.

The new tour will host 12 tournaments across China, giving players from all parts of the country a platform to show their skills and Wenchong got the ball rolling early by hosting a short-game masterclass for twenty elite junior Chinese golfers just hours before teeing off in Shanghai.

The young golfers, part of the HSBC China Junior Golf Program, a sustainable long-term structure and framework upon which the future of Chinese golf is being built, witnessed Wenchong in action along with short-game maestro and World No 3 Phil Mickelson.

China's leading player, Liang Wenchong said: I enjoy this week very much. I have enjoyed playing with all the crowds supporting me. This tournament is big in Shanghai and it does so much good when it comes to promoting golf in China. This is a top tournament and all the golfers are world class."

HSBC Global Head of Sponsorship and Events Giles Morgan said: "What a sensational day for golf in China. We've witnessed the best field ever assembled in Asia and the final leaderboard is arguably the strongest of 2013 which makes Wenchong's achievement all the more impressive.

"He is a shining light for all Chinese golfers and his sense of timing could not have been better on what is a watershed moment for Chinese golf. As well as sponsoring our flagship WGC-HSBC Champions event we are proud to have supported the HSBC China Junior Golf Program for almost a decade as part of our ambition to open up the world of golf. Today's announcement helps create a clear pathway for players to progress which is great news for everyone involved in Chinese golf at all levels."