Australian golf legend Greg Norman hopes to mix a bit of golfing pleasure with business when he headlines the $2.3 million BMW Asian Open starting tomorrow.
The 53-year-old former world No 1 is making a rare appearance in Asia where he will take on a stellar line-up which includes title holder Raphael Jacquelin, Henrik Stenson, Retief Goosen and Asian Tour stalwarts Mark Brown and local hero Liang Wenchong at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club.
This will be Norman's third start to the season but with his competitive juices still flowing, the Aussie is hoping to roll back the years which during his heyday saw him amass over 90 international victories including two British Open titles.
"I've always been a believer of promoting the game of golf, whether through the business world or through opportunities like this, playing. I've seen what has happened here in China and it's phenomenal to see that," the "Great White Shark" said.
"I haven't really quit the game of golf. I still practice, I still play. As long as I get invited to come back, I'm going to continue to play in certain places around the world. We have a couple of job opportunities here and will have some meetings this week."
China's Liang, last season's Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, will be aiming to end the region's title drought at the BMW Asian Open, sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and China Golf Association.
Since the event's inauguration in 2001, no Asian player has won the prestigious title.
"I will try my best," said Liang, who competed in the US Masters two weeks ago. "There are now a lot of events that I always want to have a good performance. In China, I want to play my best for the fans."
(China Daily April 23, 2008)