Lin: celebrates his win

Bernhard should continue his enormously successful career on the Champions Tour and Nick should concentrate on his lucrative contracts with American TV. Their work and life is in the States which is a long way from Wales.

Ewen Murray
Quotes of the week

MISSION HILLS WORLD CUP
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How about that finish in Hong Kong?

Often I'm asked how much I enjoy the majors and the world golf championships, but I enjoy every event I go to because the strength in depth in world golf now is more than impressive.

That was proven during the closing holes of the UBS at Fanling golf club last Sunday. Between Rory McIllroy and the eventual winner, Lin Wen Tang, we witnessed some amazing recovery shots, a real desire to win and a determination not to fail.

Four years ago I said through this column that the changing of the guard was not far away. Players from the Far East, India and developing countries would make their mark. Sunday by Sheng Shui was confirmation of that.

Lin's technique is one that would not be encouraged by modern coaches, but was I alone in marvelling at his natural ability to put the club squarely on the ball at speed? It was refreshing to say the least and with another Chinese victory on the European Tour, what a lift the game will receive in these parts.

I felt for Lin when Oliver Wilson and Bernhard Langer continued to finish at the 72nd hole because the wait was probably the last thing he needed at that time. It is something that is done in tournament golf so as to leave the stage clear for the champion elect. Lin missed his six footer, hence the three way play-off that included Francesco Molinari.

I suspect the smile on Lin's face will be there for some time to come and I don't blame him. The style in which he won was befitting to the 50th playing of the Hong Kong Open.

We will only have to wait a few days to see him in action again at this week's World Cup as he represents Chinese Taipei alongside Lu Wen Teh at Mission Hills in Shenzeng. Mainland China's hopes will rest with another European Tour winner, Liang Wen Chong who teams up with veteran Zhang Lian Wei. More on that later.

Lovely

One lovely moment before the play-off came by the putting green in front of the Colonial clubhouse.

Rory McIlroy, waiting to see if he had the chance to win his first event was joined by fellow countryman, Graeme McDowell.

McDowell had been in Rory's position in Italy and Korea and went on to win in sudden death. Graeme was also managed by Rory's ISM's company before moving on to Horizon in Dublin. A few words of wisdom were no doubt passed on, as well as some that would have a calming effect on the teenager. The play-off was fabulous and Rory did not lose, the champion won.

McDowell is a very classy individual as well as a fine golfer and in a world that can, at times be selfish, Graeme's caring and awareness would have been enjoyed by many golfers throughout the game.

Oliver Wilson's maiden victory continues to elude him after a final round of 71. Oliver is one of my players of the year, a year in which he has taken enormous strides in his golfing career and his performance at Valhalla in September confirmed to me that if he remains patient, his time will come.

However, I watched him closely down the stretch on Sunday and my belief is that he needs to address one or two issues to accelerate the process.

His pre shot routine is too cluttered, too complicated and too slow. This causes a lack of flow and allows him too much time to think which I believe interrupts his focus on the shot itself. Far be it for me to criticise such a fine swinger of the club, who along with that has a big heart, this is a constructive comment in an area I think he can become much stronger in.

Before we leave last week's event, just a few words on 51-year-old, Bernhard Langer. First of all, a fine performance to cap what has been another excellent year for the German. There are suggestions both he and Nick Faldo would be willing to take on the captaincy of Europe's Ryder Cup team again. I think not. Being captain is now a one-time honour and we have enough possible captains in the pipeline for the next decade.

Bernhard should continue his enormously successful career on the Champions Tour and Nick should concentrate on his lucrative contracts with American TV. Their work and life is in the States which is a long way from Wales. You may have other ideas, but that is my short answer on that subject.

Answers

Talking of answers, I enjoyed your comments on last week's column which left much food for thought.

To Chris Meek, you won't be cancelling your Sky subscription because Nick Faldo will not captain Europe at Celtic Manor.

Steven Standage raised some good points including a role for Seve when God willing, our hero will return to good health. I'm still thinking of that Steven and between us, we will come up with some suggestions.

To Gary Havlin, thanks for the information on Scotsman, Chris Doak, I've seen his results north of the border and look forward to him bringing that form to the main tour. 107th after three rounds at the QS, 62, the best round of the week to qualify, followed by sound performances over the last two days shows he has a lot of talent and courage.

Alfonso Martinez asked if Turnberry would be better off becoming the home of the European Open for a decade or staying on the rota of the Open Championship. I think as one of our top three courses, it could do both, but if pushed, I would say home of the European Open. It was played there in 1979 when Sandy Lyle won his first main Tour event and down the years it's been a great venue for these events and the Seniors Opens.

James Bassett asked me about John E Morgan who has regained his playing privileges on tour via the Challenge Tour. James, I don't know enough about John, but I remember he all but won on the PGA Tour, losing in a play-off at what I think was the John Deere Classic. Maybe John's best bet is to give the European Tour his full attention and see where that takes him this season. I will get a closer look at him in the near future.

Nigel Smith made a point when he thought "school" was the wrong name for those graduating from the qualifying in Spain. Academy might be better, and I'm sure you can think of more suitable titles. I await your thoughts.

Talking of the school, I'm happy to promote Ross Biddescoombe's book on that subject titled, "Golf on the Edge" I have not read it, but I will get a copy on my travels as I'm sure it will make interesting reading.

Ross, I had to go the school after 18 years on tour. It was in 1989 at La Manga and it was one of the worst experiences of my life! Brian Tierney obviously enjoyed the words you put together.

Wayne Riley has more supporters in the shape of Steven Standage and Les Calderwood. Refreshing was Steven's opinion, every team should have one claimed Les, who by the way tells us he is a wine connoisseur, nothing like a bit of knowledge on the Rubicon, Thelema and Rust en Vrede ahead of the South African events.

Possible

So China it is this week and I'm about to make my way to the Great Wall which I'm getting to know better than Hadrian's effort!

Will China win? Anything is possible, but I think the English duo of Ross Fisher and Ian Poulter may take some beating. If Swedes, Karlsson and Stenson have some left in the tank, they will be dangerous as will the Irish duo from North and South Graeme McDowell and Paul McGinley.

Scotland defends. Last year Monty won with Marc Warren, he tries this year with Alastair Forsyth, the USA are represented by Brandt Snedeker and our Open Champion of 2003, Ben Curtis

20 hours of coverage come your way from the Jose Maria Olazabal course at Mission Hills where buggies are a must. If you chose to walk the 18 holes, you will have covered 15 miles!! Across the miles, I'll speak to you from Thursday