Shanghai: Zhang Lianwei delivered on winning the title he most coveted in capturing the 2003 Volvo China Open in front of a huge gallery and delighted China Golf Association officials at Shanghai Silport.

The China number one (pictured) went into the final round with a two-shot lead on Australian Park Unho and quickly increased the margin to three after a birdie on the first hole. With a five-shot lead by the halfway turn, Zhang had the luxury of dropping strokes at holes 13 and 14 before cruising home for a two-shot victory over Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant. He would finish at even-par 72 for an aggregate score of 11 under. Park finished third, four-shots off the pace, while young Australian Adam Fraser, the joint second round leader, was one stroke further back.

Choi Gwang-soo, the Korean who tied the course record of 64 to grab a share of the second-round lead, was joint fifth with Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol. Defending champion David Gleeson was joint eighth in a group of four players, eight shots off the pace.

Zhang, who won US$90,000, became the second Chinese to win the country’s national Open after Chen Jun first achieved the feat in 1997. He also kept in tact his record of never losing a tournament in China after leading in the third round. In January, he beat Ernie Els to win the Singapore Masters, earning a three-year exemption on the European Tour.

“I am happy to win this. I have been trying for nine years,” Zhang said. “I feel a mixture of relief and excitement. I hope it sparks a golf boom in China.”