Two-time Macao Open champion Zhang Lian-wei of China will take aim at a record third victory when the popular Asian Tour event makes a welcome return next week.

The mainland’s most successful golfer holds great fondness for the Macao Open following back-to-back triumphs in 2001 and 2002, the latter after a memorable and titanic five-hole play-off success over Zimbabwean star Nick Price.

The Macao Open presented by Cityneon will offer a record prize fund of US$750,000 at the stunning Macao Golf and Country Club from September 15-18 following a one-year lapse.

“I’m very excited as the Macao Open is back on the Asian Tour Schedule.  The tournament has a great history and tradition, and it represents Macao. It is great to see the tournament taking place again,” said Zhang.

“It is great for players but I think the tournament truly deserves to have its stature back and with a higher prize fund, it will establish itself on the Asian golf schedule. I think this will attract more top players to commit to the tournament and it will in return provide more value for the sponsors and Macao.”

In recent times, the five-time Asian Tour champion has scaled down on his playing commitment but he is not writing off his chances against the region’s elite stars in Macao next week. 

“I really enjoy playing in Macao. I like the golf course, I have many friends there and it’s also close to home – all of these are positive factors and I suppose once you add them all up, it helps me to perform better. Definitely my win over Nick Price in 2002 remains as the most memorable experience for me in Macao,” said Zhang.

“As a player, I always feel great about my game. I don't think I will ever feel anything less, but at times we all have frustrations and you just have to stay focussed and get your game back on. I’m feeling good about playing next week and I think I will play well.”

After turning 46 in June, Zhang said he is now putting in his effort to support the development of young players in China.

“I have spent more time in junior development these days,” said Zhang.

“We just finished staging the 11th edition of the Zhang Lian-wei Trophy which is a junior tournament aimed at nurturing new talents in August. I feel it is important for me to give back to the game and I want to contribute as much as I can to junior development.”

Zhang started plying his trade on the Asian Tour since 1995 where he has won titles in Indonesia and Singapore. Apart from the two Macao Open wins, he also won the Volvo China Open in 2003.

Long recognised as the man who revolutionised professional golf in China with his exploits on the Asian Tour, Zhang said that Asian Tour has helped his career and it has been an important platform for him.  

“I have played for many years on the Asian Tour and it helped me to gain experience, not just to be playing at tournaments but also competing against top players in Asia. I think this is important for players to advance our skills. You have to play with top players in order to reach the next level.”

He was also pleased to see the Tour growing stronger this season, with four new tournaments added onto the 2011 Schedule and another tournament, the ICTSI Philippine Open, making a return as well following a two-year lapse. 

“The Asian Tour has a strong foundation in Asia. I think it is natural that the Asian Tour is growing because there are a lot of interests in golf across Asia.  I think this is a very good development and we all hope there will be more events in the years to come,” he said.