Lin ready to play world's best in Match Play

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Lin Wen-tang is looking forward to spending the next couple of months in America.

SENTOSA, Singapore -- Lin Wen-tang wants to make a name for himself globally and knows the best way of achieving his goal is to conjure a magical run at this week's $8 million World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.

Lin, who finished second on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit last season, will become the first man from Chinese Taipei to play in the elite 64-man tournament at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain in Marana, Ariz., starting Wednesday.

"Everyone has told me that this is a big event in America, and I hope to play well. I want to show to the people what I'm capable of," said Lin.

The 34-year-old enjoyed his career year with two victories at the Asian Tour International in Thailand and UBS Hong Kong Open in 2008, rising to 49th place on the Official World Golf Ranking.

It was in Hong Kong that he pulled off what was the shot of the year when he hit an amazing recovery shot high over trees for a tap-in birdie, which kept him in a play-off against Irish teenager Rory McIlroy.

The ever-smiling Lin enjoys head-to-head showdowns and is relishing the prospect of a good run in the Match Play.

"I won a local match play tournament a few years ago where I won five matches. I enjoy match play as you're playing against another player and not the golf course. I hope to win a few matches," said Lin.

After the Match Play, Lin will remain Stateside for the World Golf Championships-CA Championship in March and he plans to play several practice rounds at Augusta National Golf Club ahead of his Masters debut in April.

He earned his place in the prestigious tournament by finishing in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking and will become the first player from Chinese Taipei to play at Augusta National in 20 years.

"I'm hoping to make use of my time in the U.S. and plan to spend five days in Augsuta before heading to Doral for the CA Championship. It's been 20 years since a Chinese Taipei player competed in the U.S., and it will be important for me to perform," he said.

Lin knows he will face a stern test of his character and abilities in the U.S. In 2005, he spent two months competing in the PGA TOUR National Qualifying Tournament, where he made his way into the final stage.

"The golf courses in America are very long, and you need to adjust to the greens, which are different to those in Asia. I also got scared of eating hamburgers all the time!," he said.

Asian Tour No.1 Jeev Milkha Singh of India, Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng and honorary members K.J. Choi of Korea and Vijay Singh of Fiji are also in the field at the Accenture Match Play.