Taiwan's Lin still smiling after Hong Kong golf win

11-25-2008 | AFP

The Asian golfer says that the secret behind his triumph is his big smile

Panama Star HONG KONG. Taiwan's Lin Wen-tang Monday revelled in his success at the UBS Hong Kong Open and revealed that the secret behind his giant-killering feat lay with his smile.

The composure was evident for all to see at the Fanling Golf Club each time the 34-year-old teed up for a shot or strolled across the fairways at the event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

"To excel at the highest level in professional golf, your mental strength has to be very strong too," said Lin.

"The pressure will always there and for me, no matter whether I hit a good or bad shot, I always tell myself to keep smiling, relax, and not let anything distract me."

Lin did not disappoint as he defeated Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Italy's Francesco Molinari in a thrilling play-off for the winner's cheque of 416,660 US dollars.

The win underlined the strength of his game as he upset marquee names that included four-time US PGA Tour winner Rory Sabbatini, defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez and former winners Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal.

"I feel very excited and proud to be a Chinese to win the tournament, and I'm happy to have proven that a Chinese can do it," added Lin who rises to second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. "I will stay longer on the Asian Tour”.