China Golf, 中国高尔夫

zhanglianwei

BEIJING, Sept 2 (Reuters) – China’s Zhang Lianwei is hoping this week’s European Masters will be a genuine learning experience after signing up the host club’s teaching professional to caddie for him.

The $2.8 million event in the Swiss Alps will be the first in Europe co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours and Zhang has enlisted the help of Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club’s Stephane Barras to put on the best possible showing for his continent.

“I met Stephane last year and he called me last month to offer his services as my caddie this week,” Zhang, 44, said in an Asian Tour release.

“I gladly took up his offer as he will be a big help because he knows the golf course well. I have also asked him to look closely at my golf swing. In recent times, I have tried to tweak my own game but I may have worked on the wrong things.

“Stephane has already given me a list of things to try, so hopefully I will be able to make improvements in my game.”

Zhang, who has not enjoyed the best of form lately, is considered China’s golfing trailblazer after being the first Chinese to win a European Tour event in 2003 and the first to play at the U.S. Masters the following year.

A five-time winner on the Asian Tour, Zhang has been asked to mark the tour’s sanctioning of the tournament by striking the first tee shot in Thursday’s opening round.

“It’s good to see the tours strengthening their partnership as it will only grow the game,” he said. “I am honoured to have the privilege to hit the first shot of what is a new chapter for Asian golf.”

The European Tour co-sanctions more than a dozen events in Asia. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by John O’Brien; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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