Liang Wenchong becomes golf ambassador for The R&A

China's leading golfer Liang Wenchong has taken up a new ambassadorial role with Scotland-based The R&A to support the development of golf in his home country and to promote understanding of its rules and values.

At a special signing ceremony on Monday at The Royal and Ancient Clubhouse in St Andrews in eastern Scotland, Liang signed the agreement with Duncan Weir, Executive Director Working for Golf at The R&A, and became The R&A's first Working for Golf Ambassador in China, and its third Working for Golf Ambassador after two-time Open champion Padraig Harrington from Ireland and 2007 LPGA champion Suzann Pettersen form Norway.

"Liang became the first player from his country to play in The Open Championship in 2008 which is a great achievement. He has led the way for golf in China and will bring a great deal of experience and expertise to his new role. The R&A is already working hard with the China Golf Association to encourage people to learn more about golf and its values. Liang will help us to communicate these messages to an even wider audience." said Weir.

For his part, Liang said, "I am honored to be working with The R&A and helping to promote golf and its values in China. I have been very fortunate to become a professional golfer and enjoy a successful career. Golf has been good to me and this is an opportunity for me to give something back to the game."

Wan Degang, Consul of Chinese Consulate General in Edinburgh, said that Liang is a well-known sportsman at home and in the new role he is expected to make golf get a better promotion in China.

Later, Liang told Xinhua that golf is a young sports in China with a history of less than 30 years, which needs better promotion especially after the event enters the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

The R&A organizes The Open Championship, major amateur events and international matches, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, Equipment Standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings with the United StatesGolf Association.