MACAO, March 17 (Xinhua) -- 1995 PGA championship winner Steve Elkington and China's golf ace Zhang Lianwei, showing up at a press conference here on Wednesday, are to contest in the Macao Open 2006 scheduled from Thursday to Sunday.

    Over 150 players from 23 nations and regions will compete for the Macao Open title and the prize of 300,000 U.S. dollars on the 6,624-yard, Par-71 championship course at the Macao Golf and Country club.

    Zhang Lianwei, two-time Macao Open champion, told Xinhua that the typhoon Pearl, which has been shattering the region for days, will not block in his way to the title.

    "I am used to the kind of weather condition and I will not worry about it, " Zhang said.

    Alex Vong, acting president of the Macao Sport Development Board, told the press conference that Steve Elkington, Zhang Lianwei and the reigning champion Wang Ter-chang are all entering the tournament "in top forms," which will guarantee golf fans another outstanding week.

    The Macao Open, co-sponsored by the Macao Sport Development Board and the Golf Association of Macao, will mark its ninth anniversary at this year's event. Enditem