China's Liang Wen-Chong returns to Indian Open

Liang won the 2008 edition of the Indian Open

New Delhi, Feb 7 (IANS): Chinese star Liang Wen-chong will return to the Indian Open for the first time since his memorable victory in the 2008 edition where he fired the Asian Tour's first ever 12-under-par 60 round at the Delhi Golf Club (DGC).

In his attempt to hoist the prestigious trophy again, Liang will miss the Chinese New Year celebrations with his family when he heads out to the sub-continent for the $1.5 million event which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour for the first time from Feb 19 to 22.

Liang, the 2007 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, will form part of an elite field which includes two-time Hero Indian Open winner Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, Angelo Que of the Philippines, defending champion Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh and Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain.

Former Indian Open champions Arjun Atwal, C. Muniyappa, Jyoti Randhawa, Firoz Ali and David Gleeson of Australia will also feature in India's showpiece which is celebrating its 51st edition.

Other top names include Anirban Lahiri, last year's Players' Player of the Year, and Gaganjeet Bhullar.

Liang, a three-time Asian Tour winner, is looking forward to challenging for the title again.

"I have a lot of good memories in India. I shot a 12-under-par 60 there which is the joint lowest 18-hole score record on the Asian Tour. I'm very proud of that," said the 35-year-old Liang.

"It has been a long time since I returned to India so I'm looking forward to it. I don't think the Delhi course will change much. I imagine that the course is still very narrow," he joked.