Liu longs for farewell victory

Zhangjiagang Island, Jiangsu - A year after becoming the youngest winner on the China LPGA Tour, Liu Wenbo is aiming to cap her whirlwind amateur career with another victory and a medal at the upcoming Asian Games.

The Beijing native defeated Thailand's Kanyalak Preedasuttijit on the first hole of a playoff to win the 2017 Zhangjiagang Shuangshan Challenge in Jiangsu province at the tender age of 16 years, two months and 11 days.

As well as the youngest, she became just the fourth amateur to win on the CLPGA.

"That championship was an affirmation of my ability. My goal last year was winning one time and my dream came true so quick," Liu said as she prepares to defend her title this week.

"After winning that first pro event I started to feel more pressure and was a little bit influenced by the chatter around me."

Liu, who is 30th in the world amateur rankings, said she has since rediscovered her focus, helped by a change of clubs and a training stint in the US with Gary Gilchrist, long-time swing coach of world No 1 Feng Shanshan.

"This season my goal is to win one more time. Playing on the CLPGA Tour provides me with the opportunity to get more experience and become more steady," said Liu, who will play for Team China at August's Asian Games in Indonesia before turning pro.

Thirteen amateurs feature in this week's field of 120, including Wang Jiayi, a 14-year-old from Shanghai, fresh from her victory at last week's 2018 HSBC Junior Golf Championship in Zhengzhou.

Wang won seven junior tournaments last year and has two victories at American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) qualifying events.

Even younger is 12-year-old An Tong. After winning nine events in 2017, the Tianjin native has continued to blaze a trail this year, with five victories, including an age-group win in Zhengzhou.

Sun Jiaze is another one to watch. Last year she tied for ninth at the Bridge CC Beijing Heritage, while in February she claimed the title at the HSBC Junior Golf Open.

Prize money for this year's rebranded tournament on Zhangjiagang Island has been increased to 800,000 yuan ($127,000), up from 500,000 yuan last year.

John Ye of Sun Car said his company became involved in sponsorship of the event in order to promote golf in the country and to provide more opportunities for Chinese women to "go to the world stage".

Ye's 16-year-old daughter Angelina is another up-and-coming talent competing this week. Based in Florida, she has won two AJGA events, including the Annika Invitational USA in January.