And the winning nationality of the BMW Asian Open 2008 is…

With the BMW Asian Open 2008 on Chinese soil for the fifth consecutive year, Chinese locals are once again hoping to claim a home victory. Indeed, the growing popularity of Chinese golf has increased the number of Chinese players participating in the tournament. But does the number of players representing a country increase the odds of it being the nationality to take the title? Not according to the statistics of the BMW Asian Open 2007.

HAMBURG, GERMANY - JULY 27: Markus Brier of Austria plays his tee shot on the 15th hole during the second round of The Deutsche Bank Players Championship of Europe at Gut Kaden Golf and Land Club on July 27, 2007 in Hamburg, Germany (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Austria: 1 in top 50, 1 in top 10

Despite the lack of Austrian players, an Austrian winner for this year’s BMW Asian Open is quite possible if Markus Brier retains the form that won him the Volvo China Open, the KLM Open, and the Telecom Italia titles last year. Brier was the only Austrian in the top 50 of the BMW Asian Open 2007, ending the tournament in fifth position.

France: 4 in top 50, 1 in top 10

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The defending champion, Raphael Jacquelin, was one of 4 French golfers in the top 50 and the only Frenchman in the top 10. He led every round of the BMW Asian Open 2007 and was a worthy winner. Earlier this year, Jacquelin tied for fourth position in the Indian Masters so maybe he has some work ahead of him if he wants to defend his BMW Asian Open 2007 title.

MAMARONECK, NY - JUNE 16: Scott Hend of Australia watches his tee shot on the seventh hole during the second round of the 2006 US Open Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club on June 16, 2006 in Mamaroneck, New York. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Australia: 10 in top 50, 2 in top 10

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Australia, unlike Austria and France, were rather well represented with 10 golfers finishing in the top 50 in last year’s BMW Asian Open. However, only 2 Australian players, Scott Hend and Kane Webber, finished in the top 10. Hend, who has returned to form after a serious hand injury, has been nipping at the heels of the winners of last year’s BMW Asian Open and the Volvo China Open. Perhaps this is his year to take the title.

South African Ernie Els tees off on the eigth hole on the eigth hole during the third round of the Emaar-MGF Indian Masters in New Delhi, on February 9, 2008. Northern Ireland's Damien McGrane stroked a majestic 69 to take a two shot lead at the Indian Masters on February 8, 2008 as Ernie Els made amends for his disastrous opening round to scrape through the cut. AFP PHOTO/Manan VATSYAYANA (MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images)

South Africa: 6 in top 50, 3 in top 10

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Of the 6 South African golfers completing in the top 50 of BMW Asian Open 2007, Ernie Els, Richard Sterne, and Andrew Mclardy completed the tournament in the top ten. South Africa seems to be the case of quantity increasing the odds of a producing a top 10 player. Still, it didn’t guarantee a win.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 15: Wen - Chong Liang of China plays his tee shot on the nineth hole during the second round of the 2008 Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesian Open at the Cengkareng Golf Club on February 15, 2008 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

China: 1 in top 50, 0 in top 10

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This year, the eyes of the Chinese public will undoubtedly be on Wen-chong Liang, the wonderboy of Chinese golf. Liang was the only Chinese representative in the top 50 of the BMW Asian Open 2007, finishing the tournament in 37th position. He’s started 2008 in good form with a 7th position in the Indonesian Open so his supporters have every reason to believe that he can claim a home victory.

So where does that leave China for the BMW Asian Open 2008? With a stellar line-up of world class golfers competing against each other, the winning nationality, at this stage, is still anyone’s guess.

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