Golf-Lin ends wait for Chinese Taipei representation at Augusta

SINGAPORE, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Lin Wen-tang will become the first player from Chinese Taipei to compete at the U.S. Masters for 20 years when he tees up at the season's opening major in April.

Chen Tze-chung, better known as TC Chen, was the last man to represent Chinese Taipei at Augusta National in 1989.

"I'm very happy," said Lin in a news release on Wednesday. "I've watched the Masters on TV for so many years especially when I was growing up and I've always been in awe of Augusta National."

Lin clinched his first major appearance after moving up to 49th in the world by finishing joint sixth at Sunday's Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok.

The 34-year-old's rise into the world's top-50 was due to a career-best year on the Asian Tour, finishing second on the order of merit behind world number 35 Jeev Milkha Singh of India.

Lin said he would speak to Chen ahead of his Masters debut.

"TC was my hero when I was growing up," he said. "My wife doesn't like me going to America but I'm sure she won't mind me going to the Masters.

"I've had a very good year. I have played on the Asian Tour for such a long time now but this year it all clicked ... and I was lucky to win twice."

The Masters starts on April 9.

(Writing by Tony Jimenez in London, editing by Pritha Sarkar)