Macau: China's most decorated golfers Zhang Lian-wei and Liang Wen-chong will join defending champion Pavit Tangkamolprasert at the Macao Open, which will take place at the Macau Golf & Country Club from Oct 19-22.
Widely-known as the pioneer of golf in China, Zhang is a two-time winner of the Macao Open (2001 ad 2002) and the only player ever to defend his title in the tournament's 18-year history.
The 52-year-old Zhang from Zhuhai, China, has been the most passionate supporter of the event. Out of his 17 appearances at the storied event, the Chinese legend missed the halfway cut only once.
Zhang, who is playing regularly on the European Senior Tour now, has recorded an impressive run of results this summer, which includes three top 15 finishes. He is also the first from his country to win on both the European Tour and the European Senior Tour -- at 2003 Caltex Masters and 2016 Wales Senior Open.
Zhang, a 19-time winner worldwide, said: "This tournament started a few years after I turned professional and it played a big part in the development of my career.
"I have always felt comfortable in Macau and regardless of where I end up in the leaderboard, I always take something positive. I have had a strong summer on the senior tour and I look forward to competing well in Macao."
Liang has been spending the majority of his time on the Asian and Japan Tours in recent years. An Order-of-Merit winner on both tours, and a winner on the European Tour, Liang is the only player from China to have competed in all four Majors.
The 39-year-old claimed his 21st professional title at the Token Homemate Cup in Japan this year.