Zhang tees up another tour de force

Chinese star eyes fresh breakthroughs in 2021 after major strides last season

China's Zhang Xinjun launches his 2021 PGA Tour campaign at the Sony Open in Hawaii on Thursday determined to straighten his driving and sharpen his short game.

The 33-year-old enjoyed a small slice of history by becoming the first Chinese mainland golfer to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs last season where he eventually finished 78th in the final points list, but the start to his 2020-21 campaign in the fall was shaky.

Following consecutive top-15 performances at the Safeway Open and Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship, Zhang's game hit a road bump with four straight missed cuts before finishing tied-63rd at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico last month.