Zhang Lianwei has committed to play in the 10th Straits Cup, the annual Ryder Cup-style clash that pits Chinese mainland players against their counterparts from Chinese Taipei.

With the US$100,000 tournament set to hit Shanghai's Lake Malaren Golf Club on July 13-15, the presence of the China No. 1 provides a big boost to a mainland team that has never won the competition.

Both Zhang, a winner of the Zhuhai leg last week on the China Tour, and China No. 2 Liang Wenchong were absent from the field last year when the Taiwanese team won at home 16 1/2 to 7 1/2.

K.C. Liao, executive director of the China PGA League, which organizes the event, said Liang, a regular on the Asian and Japan GTO tours, had so far yet to commit. He was expecting a reply shortly.

Unlike previous years when the contest was strictly strokeplay, this year the format will be changed to foursomes, fourball and a singles competition.

"We are really hoping for a mainland breakthrough this year," said Liao.

"In the past couple of years, the mainland teams having been getting closer and you can see that confidence building. It is good to see."

Liao said that veteran Hsieh Min-nan would captain the Chinese Taipei team for a third consecutive year, while a mainland captain had yet to be decided.

The mainland team, consisting of the top 10 ranked players and two captain's picks, will be selected next month.

(Shanghai Daily May 18, 2006)