Zhang Lian-Wei

Zhang Lian-Wei (born 2 May 1965; Zhang is his family name) is a Chinese golfer. He was born in Zhuhai in Guangdong Province. He was the first golfer from the People's Republic of China to achieve substantial success on the international professional circuit.

The first golf course in the People's Republic of China opened in 1984 and Zhang took up the game soon afterwards. He worked as a caddie and won the China Amateur Open Championship three times before turning professional in 1994. He has won a number of events in China and on the Asian Tour and one event in Canada. At the 2003 Caltex Singapore Masters Zhang beat Ernie Els at the 72nd hole to become the first Chinese golfer to win on the more prestigious European Tour. With this victory he also became the first Chinese golfer to make the top 100 in the Official World Golf Rankings. In 2004 he received a special invitation to play in The Masters Tournament, becoming the first player from mainland China to do so. He missed the cut at The Masters, but made it at his second event on the PGA Tour, the 2004 FedEx St. Jude Classic. He has also played extensively on the Japan Golf Tour. In 2006 he topped the order of merit on the Omega China Tour.

Professional wins (13)

European Tour wins (1)

*2003 Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg

Asian Tour wins (4)

*1996 (1) Volvo Asian Matchplay
*2001 (1) Macau Open
*2002 (1) Macau Open
*2003 (1) Volvo China Open

Canadian Tour wins (1)

*2000 (1) Ontario Open Heritage Classic

Volvo China Tour wins (2)

*1995 (1) Volvo Open
*1997 (1) Hugo Boss Open

Other wins (5)

*1995 (2) Volvo Masters of Malaysia, Volvo Masters of Thailand
*1996 (2) Volvo Masters of Malaysia, Volvo Masters of Thailand
*1998 (1) Hong Kong PGA Championship

Results in major championships

DNP = Did not play
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10.

Team appearances

*World Cup (representing China): 1995, 1996, 2001, 2007
*Dunhill Cup (representing China): 1998, 1999, 2000
*Dynasty Cup: 2003 (winners), 2005 (winners)
*Royal Trophy (representing Asia): 2006

External links

* [http://www.asiantour.com/player.htm?id=80 Profile on the Asian Tour's official site]