Lin Wen-Tang

Comes from a family of golfers. His father Lin Chia was one of Chinese Taipei's top professionals and a former winner of the ROC PGA Championship, one of the country's top events. His uncle, Lin Chi-hsiang is also a winner in Asia while brothers Wen-ko and Wen-hong are regulars on the Asian Tour. Said his mental strength wasn't up to mark previously but has learned to relax on the golf course. A new driver in 2006 also helped turn his golfing fortunes around as it gave him an additional 20 yards in distance. His father's best advice to him was "to always keep the golf swing in the same tempo."
Lin enjoyed his finest year as a professional in 2008, winning twice and finishing second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. He had a five-shot victory at the inaugural Asian Tour International in Pattaya after a closing 64 and registered six more top-10s, including two second place finishes at the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational and Macau Open. He then produced what was his biggest career victory to date, winning the UBS Hong Kong Open in a three-way play-off defeating Rory McIlroy and Francesco Molinari in the play-off. In doing so he became the first Asian in a decade to win the tournament and subsequently took up European Tour Membership. He went on to wrap up the year with a sixth place finish at the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok, which did enough to bump him into 49th place on the Official World Golf Ranking which comes with a place at the US Masters. He will become the first Chinese Taipei player in 20 years to play at Augusta National.
Also represented Chinese Taipei for the first time at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in 2008. In recent times, Lin has become one of Chinese Taipei's most successful golfers. He has won a title in every season since 2006, with his maiden success being at the Taiwan Open which was an emotional affair. Lin subsequently triumphed at the Brunei Open in 2007, coming back from six shots back with a closing 65. It was a rewarding week as a prior to his Brunei success, Lin had fired a course record at Empire Hotel and Country Club for the halfway lead a year ago but failed to get the job done. His Brunei victory came in a middle of a hot streak as Lin strung together five consecutive top-10s before ending his season with a tied 12th finish at the Volvo Masters of Asia. After nine years on the Asian Tour, Lin broke through in 2006 when he won the Taiwan Open on home soil. It ended years of frustration for Lin as he had posted 15 top-10s prior to his triumph. Victory was made even sweeter as he achieved it in front of his father-cum-coach Lin Chia as he joined younger brother Wen-ko as an Asian Tour winner. In 2005, he came close to winning his first title when he finished second in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, two strokes behind compatriot Lu Wei-chih. He also posted two other top-10s that year. Another highlight in 2005 was when he made his way through to the US PGA Tour Qualifying School Finals after starting from Stage One but he failed to find his form at the crucial final stage to miss his card. He enjoyed an impressive season in 2004 where he did not miss a single cut from 11 starts and posted four top-15 finishes. Came in tied fifth at the Taiwan Open and tied ninth at the Macau Open. Capped his year by successfully earning his Japan Golf Tour card from Qualifying School but quit playing in Japan as he did not feel at home there.

Asian Tour Record
Tournament¬Place¬Score¬1st¬2nd¬3rd¬4th¬Money
Asian Tour International¬Cut¬145¬73¬72
Maybank Malaysian Open¬Cut¬75-74