BEIJING, April 19 -- Zhang Lianwei is looking for a strong week in Shanghai after struggling in recent times.

    The Chinese No. 1 has been in a relative funk since late January when he finished equal 12th in Abu Dhabi. Since then, he has missed cuts in five of six European and Asian Tour events. Last week, he missed the cut at the China Open in Beijing, a tournament he won in 2003.

    "My determination is there and I feel good about my game right now," said China's golf pioneer who was equal fifth at the BMW Asian Open in 2004 and equal 14th last year. "My chipping and putting are areas I need to improve. But I am feeling strong and determined when I play."

    With the China Open falling twice in the European Tour schedule this year because of a date change, Zhang, electrified the crowd in November in Shenzhen when he shot a third round 66 to roar into contention. He finished a respectable equal seventh. Last week in Beijing, he missed the cut by two strokes.

    "Maybe it had a little to do with my own condition," Zhang said of his performance in the national championship. "I feel I am not in the best shape that I could be. However, it was very windy last week and with the morning starts it was really cold for a Cantonese.

    "The feeling was no good and it was different."

    One area Zhang is feeling good about is the development of the China Tour. The nascent circuit, now in its second year, has expanded to six events from four last year. In the opening leg in Hainan earlier this month, the Guangdong native finished a distant second to China No. 2 Liang Wenchong.

    "The China Tour is a very good platform for them (the Chinese pros) to get on the international stage. I could play international events but I want to help China's golf development.

    "I want to play with Chinese golfers to interact with them, know where their games are and to help lead them to international golf events," Zhang said.

    He said it was too early for a limited number of Chinese Taipei players to participate on the circuit.

    Despite the fact that their presence would help raise the standard of the domestic players, he said the money was too minimal and there wasn't enough events.