SHANGHAI, June 30 -- CHINA'S Liang Wenchong will play his first major in August after receiving a special exemption for the US PGA Championship, the Asian Tour said yesterday.

The 28-year-old, China's No. 1 and current leader of the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, has had a breakthrough season and became only the second Chinese to claim a European Tour title when he triumphed at the co-sanctioned Singapore Masters in March.

Liang learned of his invitation to play at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, from August 9-12 after failing to qualify for the British Open in Japan last week.

"I am very happy and I am glad to be given this opportunity following a lot of hard work," Liang said in a statement. "It will be my first major and it's an important step for me."

Liang's mentor Zhang Lianwei was the first Chinese player to play in a major when he was invited to take part in the 2004 US Masters.

Liang missed out on British Open qualification last weekend after rain and fog plagued the Mizuno Open, a specially designated event on the Japan Tour in which top 4 players earn automatic entry into the Open, was reduced to 54 holes.

Liang had climbed to as high as eight before play was suspended on Sunday and finally canceled. He ended up tied 13th where he had finished on Saturday.

He is currently ranked 83rd in the world and will also be featured in the World Golf Championship event, the Bridgestone Invitational the week beforehand thanks to his Singapore victory.

Liang has six top ten finishes this season in Asia, including Singapore, and will be aiming to follow up his American trip with sights set squarely on capturing the Order of Merit crown and achieving a World Top 50 ranking to guarantee more Major trips in 2008.