World No. 2 Lee Westwood will be looking to draw on his previous Macua Open success when the Shui On Land China Golf Challenge winds up in Macua.
Westwood and China No. 1 Liang Wen-chong share the lead at two-under-par going into the final two holes of the week-long, seven-city event.
Westwood, 38, moved to two-under with a birdie at the 198-yard par-three 15th, the second of three holes played at Long Island Golf and Country Club at Dongguan in Guangdong province.
Lee Westwood moved into a share of the lead on day six of the Shui On Land China Golf Challenge. (Photo - China Golf Challenge)
The four contestants then boarded a helicopter to Macau, where they will stay at The Venetian.
Westwood could have snatched the lead from Lian but missed a four-foot birdie putt at the uphill 418-yard par-four 16th.
Ian Poulter, who bogeyed the 503-yard par-four 14th, was even-par and world number three Rory McIlroy, the US Open champion, remained six-over.
“I’ve drawn level, there’s two holes to go and all to play for in Macau,” he said
“We have four good players so it was always going to be close, but to be tied going into the final day is ideal for everybody.
“I won the Macau Open in 1999 and while we’re not playing the same golf course, but obviously I have very fond memories, as I do all of Asia.
“So I’ve had a lot of success here.”
Westwood believes the Shui On Land China Golf Challenge has lived up to its name, having already visited Shanghai and Zhengzhou in the east, Beijing and Dalian in the north, and Chongqing in the west.
“It was a lovely day and the golf course at Long Island is very good, but we’ve played some challenging holes,” he added.
“We’re not only playing China’s great 18, I think we’re also playing China’s hard 18, too,” he laughed.“
Liang, who has led since the third day, will have huge support at Caesars Golf Macau as the 33-year-old Zhongshan native continues to lead the home charge against three of the world’s most famous golfers.
“I’m quite happy to still be sharing the lead and it will be interesting in Macau. I just need to keep concentrating, make the chances first, and then charge,” he said.
“It has been a good challenge and we had some challenging holes at Long Island.
“It has been very interesting travelling in China this week. It has been good for Chinese golf. I’m proud to represent China and host Ian, Rory and Lee, and they have all said they will come back next year, which makes me very happy.”
On Saturday afternoon, the four players participated in a Pro-Am to raise money for Yan Oi Tong’s Chong Sok Un Medical Fund (Cancer Aid).
Long Island has hosted the annual pro-am for Yan Oi Tong since 2006. A Hong Kong-based charity foundation, Yan Oi Tong provides social welfare, education, medical services, sports and recreational services particularly for neglected elders as well as patients living with cancer.
Since Monday, the players have competed at Tomson Golf Club in Shanghai, Jinsha Lake Golf Club in Zhengzhou, Topwin Golf and Country Club and Jade Island International Golf Club in Beijing, the 36-hole Red Flag Valley in Dalian and Sun Kingdom Golf Club in Chongqing.
* Special thanks to John Higginson, Shui On Land China Golf Challenge.
