Liao, who has played every Omega China Tour event since 2005, arrived early in Beijing to prepare himself for the final event of his memorable season, during which the 31-year-old has emerged as a new star following his maiden victory at the Sofitel Golf Championship in Nanjing and two runner-up finishes.
The Nanning-based battler was complimentary about the host venue, which was developed by the Beijing Xingpai Group that also produces the popular Star brand of pool tables and sponsors top pool players Ding Junhui and Pan Xiaoting.
“Obviously, that explains why the greens are so smooth,” Liao joked. “The greens are really good, but they’re very undulating. I’d be much happier putting on their pool tables!”
Liao, like Li, has not allowed to get himself distracted by the chance to win his first Omega Order of Merit title. “I’m in good form this year and playing pretty steady golf, so I’ll just try my best this week and see what happens,” he said.
Gan Lianfang, the Xingpai Group’s Chairman of the Board and also Vice-President of the China Billiards Association, was delighted to see his company’s strong support of sport extend into golfing circles.
“We’d been through a lot of discussions about how best to get involved in golf and sponsor an event, so it’s exciting that we’re now hosting the third Omega Championship, especially as it’s the Omega China Tour’s season-ending event,” Gan said.
