Lin's delight with spot at Masters

Source: Agencies  |   2008-12-24  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

LIN Wen-tang was over the moon after becoming the first Chinese Taipei player in 20 years to earn a place in the prestigious Masters Tournament which will take place next April.

The Asian Tour standout moved up to 49th position on the final Official World Golf Ranking following his tied sixth finish at the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok to seal his maiden major appearance.

"I'm very happy. My friends told me that the last Chinese Taipei golfer to play at the Masters was over 20 years ago and I'm glad that I have earned my place.

"I've watched the Masters on TV for so many years, especially when I was growing up and I've always been in awe of Augusta National Golf Club. The greens are very undulating and I am looking forward to playing at the golf course," said Lin.

Chen Tze-chung, better known as T.C. Chen, was the last player from Chinese Taipei to feature at the Masters in 1989. A total of six players from Chinese Taipei, including Asian greats Hsieh Min-nan, Lu Liang-huan and Chen Ching-po, who played in six Masters, have competed in the year's opening Major with T.C. posting the best performance with a tied 12th outing in 1987.

Lin's rise into the world's top-50 was due to his career-best year on the Asian Tour where he finished second on the Order of Merit behind India's No. 1 Jeev Milkha Singh, who will also play in his third Masters after ending the season in 35th place on the world rankings.

The 34-year-old Lin won twice, including the UBS Hong Kong Open last month, and posted seven other top-10s to earn US$844,735, only surpassed by Singh's new earnings record of US$1.45 million.

Coming months

Lin will certainly speak to Chen about the Masters over the coming months. "TC was my hero when I was growing up. My wife doesn't quite like me going to America but I'm sure she won't mind me going to the Masters," said Lin, who has made attempts at the US PGA Tour qualifying school in the past.

"I've had a very good year. I have played on the Asian Tour for such a long time now but this year, it all clicked. Asian golf has a very high standard and there are so many players who can win tournaments. But this year, I had a good feeling and I was lucky to win twice," said Lin.

He hopes that his Masters appearance will rejuvenate professional golf in Chinese Taipei, which hosts only one Asian Tour event compared to three regular events previously.

"Not many sponsors are supporting professional golf in Taipei. But even with me playing at the Masters next year, I don't think it will spark great interest in the game. Maybe if I win the Masters, then it will change," said Lin.