China's number one golfer Liang Wenchong is quietly confident ahead of the Barclays Singapore Open 2009 which starts today.

By Eugene YS Han from Sentosa

The 31-year-old Liang exclusively told ESPNSTAR.com that he is excited about this year's US$5million event because the field is stronger than it has ever been. He also had nothing but praise for the Serapong course at the Sentosa Golf Club.

"This year, the Singapore Open has been co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the European Tour and it is followed immediately by the HSBC Champions, the status of which has also been elevated to a World Golf Championship event. So there are a lot of top-ranked players who are coming here to Singapore to warm-up for the WGC event," he said in Mandarin.

"As a result many of these top-ranked players have raised the bar higher than most tournaments in Asia. I believe this course is great as well. It's beautiful and the rough has been designed very evenly - it's only two balls deep. If the ball hits the rough, it'll just go right in."

Liang has been placed in a high-profile group that includes world number six Padraig Harrington, last year's runners-up, and Asian Tour veteran Anthony Kang of the USA for the opening two rounds of this tournament.

However, after Jeev Milkha Singh's win last year, Wenchong feels Asian players have an edge over the other golfers.

"I would say Asian players have an advantage over the American and European players because we are so used to the climate here. Asian players practically grew up playing golf in this kind of environment."

Liang comes into this tournament on the back of his four-shot victory in the Midea China Classic in Guangzhou two weeks ago. It was his first tournament win in more than 20 events. Not surprisingly, he is feeling positive.

"I think my recent form has been good," said Liang. "These two years I have been training under Kel Llewellyn to adjust my swing."

"This year's results have been mixed. I became a father for the first time and I have not been taking care of my health. But these problems have taught me how to prepare myself better.  I will be able to handle my health, fitness or family better for the next ten or so years."

"The next few tournaments are big competitions and I will try my best to close my season well."

The Zhongshan native first learnt the sport at a mature age of 16 after Zhongshan Hot Spring Golf Club took him under their wing. This club was China's first golf club, appearing on the scene as it did in 1984. So when asked about how golf in the Olympics will help the sport in China, Liang thinks it will have a positive effect.

"Golf getting into the Olympics will help grow and promote golf in China. I believe in the eight to ten years, golf in China will improve greatly and most importantly the positive effects it has on our youngsters and how it can improve their standards so that they can represent China.

"I don't think at this moment we should be worried because the China Golf Association has done their bit to promote the game and together with the help we get globally, our youngsters' standard has been good."

And there is a young Chinese golfer who has caught his eye.

"Wu Ashun's performances in tournaments in China have been quite good. I hope he can win an international competition soon because a win outside of China would give him more recognition and do wonders for his confidence."

"I believe in order to play good golf you must try to gain as much experience as possible because it takes a long time to master playing golf. Experience to me is a very valuable asset as a golfer.

"So I have to take part in as many events as possible to gain more experience so that it will help in future."