Liang Wenchong will be looking to get back in the zone when the nation's No 1-ranked golfer opens the defense of his OneAsia's Nanshan China Masters title at Nanshan International Golf Club's Montgomerie Course in Shandong province on Thursday.

Liang grabbed the fourth OneAsia title of his career at the $1 million event a year ago, edging former PGA Major winner Y.E. Yang in a sudden-death playoff that saw them play the 18th hole five times before the winner was decided.

Winless for two years before that, Liang said he found himself "in the zone" down the stretch and the 35-year-old held his nerve en route to notching his 18th pro victory.