Newly-crowned Indian Open champion Liang Wen-Chong has another great reason to celebrate, after being the second player named for the Asian Team to take on Europe in the third edition of the Royal Trophy.

The Chinese ace had been penciled in for his Asian Team debut by Captain Joe Ozaki even before his spectacular performance at the Delhi Golf Club in early October. But the legendary youngest member of the Ozaki-clan admits his selection could not have been vindicated in more stunning fashion.

Liang, the 2007 Asian Order of Merit champion, led from start to finish in Delhi, after opening with a record-breaking 12-under par 60. That trail-blazing round delivered the lowest score in relation to par ever posted on the Asian Tour, and it earned Liang a five shot lead.

The Guangdong native's advantage had been dramatically trimmed to just one shot going into the final round - and with only two holes to play, Liang had to deal with the immense pressure of leading the tournament for 70 holes and suddenly finding himself a shot behind. He had been passed by the talented Australian Darren Becks, who charged through the field in astonishing fashion with a closing 65 to finish on 15 under par.

That was when Liang, 30, showed the class, determination, equilibrium and perseverance that have seen him crowned as one of Asia's brightest talents. He birdied the final two holes to pip Becks to the title, and Japanese golf hero Ozaki hailed it as "the performance of a true champion".

Ozaki, one of Japan's all-time greats, added: "Liang was always in line for selection following his triumph in the Order of Merit last year, and I feel this latest victory could inspire him to take his game to a new level. In 'match play' you need players who make birdies - and the statistics will tell you that no one on the Asian Tour makes more of them than Liang.

"But you also need golfers who can handle significant pressure and the way Liang bounced back from the shock of losing a lead he had held so long was very impressive. I am sure he will be a key player in our bid to beat Europe for the first time, and I am happy to welcome him onto the Asian Team;" added the 35-time professional title winner Ozaki.

Liang said he was thrilled to be invited to play for Asia and to be following in the footsteps of his friend and mentor Zhang Lian-Wei. Zhang was a member of the Asian Team edged out 9-7 by a powerful European line-up in the inaugural Royal Trophy at the Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok three years ago.

Liang, the first Chinese player in history to make the cut in a Major Championship - a feat he achieved in last year's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, commented: "What a month this has been for me - a memorable victory and now the opportunity and privilege to represent the whole of Asia against Europe in the Royal Trophy.”

Liang, whose achievements earned him the eligibility to play in any of the major tours in the world, including the PGA Tour in the United States, added: "It is a tremendous honour. My great friend Zhang Lian-Wei has often told me what a wonderful experience it was to be part of the Asian Team, and it has been one of my great ambitions to savour that feeling myself.

"I know a lot of the European players from playing on the European Tour, after qualifying for their Tour through my Singapore Masters win last year. I know how high the standards are in Europe, and how many great players they have to choose from. But that will only make it even that much more special the first time we beat them!"

Liang's success has been instrumental in fuelling the astronomical growth of the Royal & Ancient game in the People's Republic of China. He is the first Chinese player to compete in all four Major Championships and the first man from the People's Republic to win an Order of Merit title. The winner of ten professional career titles, Liang leads the Asian Tour statistics in four of six categories including Stroke Average, Birdies, Scoring to Par and Putting. Prior to joining the Asian and European Tours, Liang was crowned Chinese Amateur Champion three times consecutively - from 1996 to 1998.

"This is a moment of great exhilaration for me for making the Asian Team. But it is also a moment of great concern for the entire golf family as a result of Mr. Seve Ballesteros hospitalization. Our hearts are with him and we are all hoping for his full and complete healing and strong recovery;" concluded the Chinese golfing master.

"Golfers, athletes and sports fans around the world are deeply saddened with Seve Ballesteros’ health challenge. All of us in Japan, Asia and all around the world have enjoyed the privilege of seeing a true sportsman in Seve. He has inspired so many and touched the hearts of people all over the globe. We hold the deepest and strongest hope for his speedy recovery and wish the greatest strength to his family during this difficult time;" stated Asian Team Captain Joe Ozaki.

The Royal Trophy Premier and Major Sponsors include Heineken, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), PTT, Siam Commercial Bank, Toyota Camry, Sodick (Thailand) and Advanced Info Service (AIS). For further Tournament information, please call +662 651 9499 or visit the official website www.TheRoyalTrophy.com. The third edition of the Royal Trophy will be held on January 9-11, 2009 at Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand and is promoted by Entertainment Group Limited and Amen Corner S.A.