Li Haotong and Wu Ashun were both full of confidence as they prepared to lead the home charge at the Volvo China Open.
The duo have been wonderfully flying the flag for Chinese golf in recent seasons after both claiming maiden victories at this event, and are now engaged in a mini contest to be the winning-most Chinese golfer ever on the European Tour.
Wu won this event in 2015 and Li took the title off him in 2016 before a Wu victory at the Lyoness Open powered by Sporthilfe Cashback Card marked the first time there had been two Chinese winners in a single European Tour season.
Li joined Wu on two wins with a stunning victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic last year but Wu edged ahead once more with a victory at the KLM Open later in the season.
The duo have also played together at the World Cup of Golf twice - finishing second n 2016 - and Li is excited for an important week in the Chinese golfing calendar at Genzon Golf Club.
“My game is feeling quite good at the moment, especially after two weeks off here in China, so I’m looking forward to this week," he said.
“Of course I feel comfortable here this week, especially in Shenzhen - I will have a lot of friends come here to watch me play this week and hopefully I can play some decent golf for them and maybe hold the trophy again.
“I played 18 here and the conditions are perfect. The course is a little bit soft from the recent rain but I think they will be good conditions for the tournament.
“I think for Chinese golf, this tournament has been huge for us, especially as you can see other Chinese players are doing well on the bigger tours now so I think our game is going to grow and grow.”
Wu has not enjoyed the best start to the season with just one top 40 finish but he believes his game is beginning to come together again.
“My game is quite good right now," he said. "I played last week in Morocco and it wasn’t great but I’ve found something in my game and I’m feeling good for this week.
“I’m happy to come back to the Volvo China Open. I have very good memories of this tournament, it was my first win on the European Tour and I also played in Genzon when this tournament was here last in 2014 so it’s always good to come back and play here.
“It’s always nice to come back to China, with good food and good fans here so you’re always going to enjoy this week.”
