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Frenchman Wins Hong Kong Open

HONG KONG — Unheralded Frenchman Gregory Bourdy survived Rory McIlroy's back-nine charge to win the UBS Hong Kong Open by two shots from the Northern Irishman on Sunday afternoon.

Bourdy completed the tournament at 19-under-par 261, two shots better than McIlroy, who finished runner-up for the second straight year but had the consolation of going to the top of the European Tour's money list.

McIlroy's second-place finish was enough to move him to the summit of the Order of Merit with just one tournament -- next week's Dubai World Championship -- remaining in the season.

A cheque for 186,190.39 euros took him ahead of previous leader Lee Westwood, who ended the tournament with a disappointing four-over-par round on the final day to take him to one-under for the week.

Bourdy, who never relinquished the lead throughout the final round, proved to be unflappable despite the rising pressure exerted by the 20-year-old McIlroy over the closing holes of the tournament.

It was the Frenchman's third European Tour title of his career.

"I've had a fantastic week," he said. "It's my best golf week and my best golf day today.

"I played very consistent. I missed a few putts at the start of the round but I stayed confident. It was amazing.

"It's my mother's birthday today plus I needed this victory to go to Dubai. There are so many things, my girlfriend is here as well, so it's great."

Bourdy played consistently to maintain the lead he had at the start of the day, moving to 18-under thanks to birdies at the fifth and sixth.

A birdie at the 10th returned the Frenchman to 18-under after he had dropped a shot at the eighth and he improved his score by an additional shot with a birdie at the par-five 13th.

The tournament swung once and for all in Bourdy's favour at the 17th, however, when McIlroy's charge finally came to an end.

After rattling a birdie attempt more than three feet past the hole, the Ulsterman missed the return putt for par, forcing him to settle for second once again around Fanling as Bourdy closed out in impressive fashion with a 67.

Despite finishing runner-up again, McIlroy said he was more than satisfied with his performance throughout the weekend, carding a 64 on the final day.

"I played lovely, really, really well," he said. "I thought I needed a low one and I went out with a mindset if I shot anything below a 65 I might have a chance, but Gregory's played very, very well.

"If I had birdied one of the last two holes I might have given myself a chance but that's the way it goes. I'm a bit disappointed at the minute but I've got a good consolation in that I'm back to the top of the money list.

"There's still a lot that can go on next week but my objective this week was to come out and win the Hong Kong Open and I've come up just short again for the second year in a row, but I gave it my best shot and that's all I can do."

Italy's Francesco Molinari and Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen were a joint third, a shot behind McIlroy, with Raphael Jacquelin and England's Ian Poulter two shots further back.

Chowrasia, Randhawa finish tied 22nd Golf in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Nov 15 (IANS) S.S.P. Chowrasia and Jyoti Randhawa had contrasting fortunes but ended in the same tied 22nd position as the curtain came down on the UBS Hong Kong Open golf Sunday.

Chowrasia closed with a 65, just as he had opened with a 65 and with 69 and 73 in between, and he ended at eight-under. Randhawa, tenth overnight, dropped two bogeys on 16th and 18th and from a probable top-10 he slipped to 22nd.

France’s Gregory Bourdy fended off a spirited challenge by Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy to close with a three-under-par 67 to win the title.

Jeev Milkha Singh, the only Indian to qualify for the Race to Dubai next week, left Hong Kong in high spirits after his best round for the week at four-under 66 that lifted him from overnight 50th to tied 36th. “That round felt nice after sometime,” said Jeev.

Rahil Gangjee had an up-and-down round as he tried to make up as many places as possible to try and make his Asian Tour card for 2010. He had five birdies, but he also had two bogeys, one on 18th, and a double on first in his 69 that saw him at six-under in tied 36th.

Shiv Kapur shot a 68 and ended at tied 48th at four-under.

Chowrasia was three-under after eight and then dropped a bogey on ninth. He had three more birdies from 13th to 17th and then closed with a par for 65.

“I’ve been playing well all week because of my swings and my putts. I like playing on this course too. I’ll be playing more in Europe next season but will also be back in Asia to compete. My game is all coming together now and I believe being a global player has definitely helped me improve my game,” said Chowrasia.

Bourdy sealed his third career victory at the Hong Kong Golf Club with a four-day total of 19-under-par 261. McIlroy’s late rally was not enough to make up for the heartbreak of last year and he had to settle for second place again after signing off with a 64 for a 263 total.

Italy’s Francesco Molinari closed with a 64 to take a share of third place with Robert-Jan Derksen of the Netherlands on 264 while England’s Ian Poulter and France’s Raphael Jacquelin were tied for fifth on 266.

The 27-year-old Bourdy who led the US$2.5 showpiece since the end of the second round never seemed likely to lose his grip of the lead despite a late scare from McIlroy who moved to within a single shot of him after the 16th hole.

The Frenchman dropped his only shot of the day on the par-three eighth but answered with four birdies on the fifth, sixth, 10th and 13th to etch his name into the roll of honour.

Read more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/chowrasia-randhawa-finish-tied-22nd-at-hong-kong_100275201.html#ixzz0WyLRr4HW

BOURDY FENDS OFF McILROY TO CLAIM FANLING GLORY

Grégory Bourdy held off a hard charging Rory McIlroy to win the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open by two shots on Sunday (15 November). The Frenchman carded a polished three-under-par 67 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling to finish on 19-under 261 for the tournament.

Northern Irish youngster McIlroy showed flashes of his prodigious talent in compiling a 64 but fell just short in the US$2.5 million showpiece for the second year in a row.

“It’s great, I had a fantastic week,” said Bourdy, 27. “It’s my best golf week, best golf day today. I played very consistent. I missed a few putts at the start of the round but I stayed confident.

“It’s my mother’s birthday today so I dedicate this to her. My girlfriend is here and everything went right.

“I was relaxed today and all week. I was so confident. I tried to enjoy all my shots, all my rounds and did it. I missed just a few shots this week. I can’t believe it was so nice to play like this.”

Bourdy, the overnight leader by two shots, was unflappable down the stretch, picking up birdies at the 10th and 13th and calmly playing the final five holes to par.

McIlroy, 20, roared on by the galleries, did his best to put Bourdy under pressure and closed the gap to one shot with consecutive birdies at the 15th and 16th.

But a three-putt bogey at the 17th took the wind out of his sails and Bourdy arrived at Fanling’s notoriously difficult final hole with a two-shot cushion.

Bourdy collected the winner’s cheque for US$416,660 and enjoyed the bonus of leaping into the top 60 on the European Tour’s Race To Dubai, thereby qualifying for next week’s season-ending Dubai World Championship,

“I wanted to stay focused on my game, play shot by shot, and I knew if I was three or four-under it would be OK to win the tournament,” said Bourdy.

“I didn’t look at the leaderboard until the 18th so I didn’t know Rory played well. I was three-under after 14 holes and it was nice to finish with a par on the 18th as it’s a tough hole.

“Dubai was the target before I played here. I knew if I won I’d go to Dubai but first was to play well today and win this UBS Hong Kong Open. I’ve played well, won and I’m going to Dubai, so I have everything.”

The victory was Bourdy’s third European Tour title after victories in the 2007 Mallorca Classic and the Open de Portugal last year.

McIlroy – joint runner-up in the UBS Hong Kong Open a year ago after losing a three-way playoff to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen Tang – was forced to settle for second best again.

But he could take consolation in the fact that he overtook Lee Westwood at the top of the Race To Dubai standings.

World No.17 McIlroy, who earned US$277,770 for his second place, refused to be too downhearted and paid tribute to the winner.

“I played lovely, really, really well,” he said. “I thought I needed a low one and went out with the mindset that if I went lower than 65 then I might have a chance but Grégory obviously played very well.

“If I’d birdied one of the last two holes I might have given myself a chance, so that’s the way it goes. I’m a bit disappointed at the moment but I have the consolation of going back to the top of the Race To Dubai.

“There’s a lot that can go on next week but my goal this week was to win the UBS Hong Kong Open and I’ve come up just short again, for the second year in a row. But I gave it my best shot and that’s all I can do.”

McIlroy heads the Race To Dubai with earnings of €2,538,449 – a lead of €128,173 over Westwood.

World No.4 Westwood endured a difficult day at Fanling, a closing 74 relegating him to joint 54th place at one-under.

Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen, who began the day two shots behind Bourdy, returned a 68 to finish joint third with Italy’s Francesco Molinari.

Derksen needed to finish first or second to qualify for Dubai, but he put a positive spin on the outcome.

“I’d rather miss out on Dubai than have to go to Spain for the Tour Qualifying School,” he said. “That’s the way it is. There are more people who are unlucky.

“Greg deserved to win as he played really well yesterday and today. He didn’t make any mistakes. I played well today and just made one or two mistakes but he never gave me any room to allow me to get close.”

Molinari – joint runner-up with McIlroy a year ago – compiled a closing 64 to complete another impressive outing at Fanling.

England’s Ian Poulter and Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin both carded excellent 64s to finish equal fifth on 14-under.

World No.13 Poulter started the day eight behind the leader and admitted he had given himself too much to do.

“I would’ve had to finish 10 or 11-under and it still might not have been good enough, but it was nice to finish strong,” he said. “I had a chance to have a run at it but didn’t quite do enough.”

Defending champion Lin began the day six shots off the pace but his challenged fizzled out with a 72 that left him in joint 22nd place on eight-under.

“It’s quite disappointing to return with an over-par score today,” said Lin. “I tried to rally a late charge but I guess a couple of wayward swings didn’t do me any favours. But that’s how the game of golf in Hong Kong is.”

Apart from Bourdy, another man celebrating at Fanling on Sunday was Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who clinched an unprecedented third Asian Tour Order of Merit crown ahead of China’s Liang Wenchong.

Both players carded 67s to finish joint 11th on 10-under for the tournament.

The UBS Hong Kong Golf Open – Hong Kong’s oldest golf professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – was once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

McILROY Looking To Repeat 2008 Golf in Hong Kong Heroics

Rory McIlroy will draw inspiration from his brilliant final round at last year’s UBS Hong Kong Golf Open as he goes gunning for victory in the 2009 event on Sunday (15 November).

The talented Northern Irish youngster sits five shots behind leader Grégory Bourdy of France after a riveting third round at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

McIlroy knows he will need a repeat of his 2008 heroics when he shot 65 on the final day to get into a playoff, which he eventually lost to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen Tang.

“I’ll have to do something like that or even better tomorrow,” he said. “My mindset is to get off to a fast start and try to keep it going. Obviously Grégory is playing very well out there.”

World No.17 McIlroy currently lies in third place after firing a five-under-par 65 on Saturday to reach 11-under for the tournament. Bourdy carded a 63 to stand at 16-under while Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen (65) is 14-under.

McIlroy, aged 20, showed flashes of brilliance in his third round but was left ruing a double-bogey at the par-four sixth that set him back after two early birdies.


“I got off to the perfect start and was two-under through three, but then made double bogey on six which took me right back to square one,” he said. “But I hit back well with birdies on seven and eight to get those shots straight back.

“It was great to get those two shots back immediately. I knew even though I was back to level there was a lot of golf still to be played. I knew I was hitting it well and putting well and it was a matter of giving myself chances again.

“Maybe a couple of years ago after making double bogey I would have been a bit flustered, but it comes down to experience. When people ask the difference between turning pro and now, the answer is experience. A couple of years ago that could have been it for me and I could have shot 73 or 74 when I golf in Hong Kong.”

The highlight of his day was an eagle at the par-five 13th when he reached the green with a superb five-iron approach shot from 260 yards.

McIlroy will head into the final day of the Golf in Hong Kong Open determined not to think about his Race To Dubai battle with Lee Westwood.

World No.4 Westwood leads the Race To Dubai with season earnings of €2,404,579 – a lead of €52,320 over McIlroy with just two tournaments remaining, Golf in Hong Kong and next week’s Dubai World Championship.

But Westwood is out of the running for the Hong Kong title after a 69 on Saturday left him at five-under for the tournament. “I’m just thinking about the tournament,” insisted McIlroy. “I’m behind Grégory Bourdy and that’s all I’m worried about.”

Liang Eyes History Afters Superb Second Round in Hong Kong

Liang Wenchong stepped up his bid to become the first mainland Chinese golfer to win the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open by grabbing a share of the second round lead on Friday (13 November).

China’s No.1 delighted the galleries at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling with a sizzling five-under-par 65 that left him tied with three other players at the top of the leaderboard.

Liang’s bogey-free effort – including birdies on the final two holes – put him on nine-under 131 for the tournament.

“I’m in a good position and I know that the next two days will be crucial,” said Liang. “If I continue to play as well as I’ve been doing the past two days, this will be a very good week for me.”

Liang claimed a lone birdie at the par-four seventh on the front nine but really hit form after the turn.

Back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th sent him moving up the leaderboard and he picked up another shot at the par-four 17th.

He finished with a flourish, rolling in an eight-foot birdie putt to complete an excellent afternoon’s work. “I tried to take it slowly and not get too impatient with my game,” said Liang.

“It wasn’t easy on the front nine. Luckily I got a birdie on the seventh that got my game going. I’m really happy with my back nine as I managed to get four birdies.”

Tied with Liang on nine-under were South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel (66), Holland’s Robert-Jan Derksen (68) and Frenchman Grégory Bourdy (67).


No mainland Chinese player has won the Golf in Hong Kong Open in the tournament’s 50-year history.

Liang, aged 31, is not only seeking victory at Fanling, he is looking to overtake Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee in the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit race.

With just three ranking tournaments remaining, including Hong Kong, he is second on the money list with earnings of US$740,544 – trailing leader Thongchai by US$197,114.

The UBS Golf in Hong Kong Open – joint-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours – carries a first prize of US$416,660.

Liang is bidding for his second European Tour victory to go with his triumph at the 2007 Singapore Masters. That same year he became the first player from China to win the Order of Merit.

Earlier in the day, Yang Yong Eun showed signs of the form that made him Asia’s first Major winner as he surged up the leaderboard with a 67 that left him on seven-under 133.

Yang – who became the first Asian player in history to win a Major when he triumphed in the PGA Championship last August – said he had struggled with Friday’s cooler temperatures at Fanling after a warm opening day.

But he was still content with his second round in which he mixed five birdies with two bogeys.

“The temperature was a surprise to me as I wasn’t expecting this kind of weather in Hong Kong,” he admitted.

“I had a hard time warming up and I had some difficulties trying to find my distance. It was a bit dark this morning and the greens were fast, probably because of the moisture today, so it was hard to judge the distance.

“I think I’ve a fair chance this weekend. I’ve been playing well since the last round in Shanghai and hopefully I’ll perform well this weekend, too.”

Yang was one of five players on seven-under, including Golf Hong Kong Open defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei, who carded a 69.

Among the tournament’s big guns, Rory McIlroy (68) and Ian Poulter (66) remained firmly in contention at six-under while world No.4 Lee Westwood was four-under after an even-par 70.

First round leader Udorn Duangdecha of Thailand struggled on the second day, adding a 74 to his opening 62 to stand at four-under.

Veteran Udorn Leads As Big Guns Lie In Wait

Unheralded Udorn Duangdecha upstaged the world class field gathered at the UBS Hong Kong Open to take the first round lead on Thursday (12 November).

The Thai veteran – with only one top-10 finish in his Asian Tour career – returned a brilliant eight-under-par 62 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

That gave him a one-shot lead over Holland’s Robert-Jan Derksen in the US2.5 million European and Asian Tour co-sanctioned showpiece.

Udorn, aged 39, came within a whisker of equalling the course record of 61 – set by Scotland’s Simon Yates in 2005 – but bogeyed his final hole, the ninth.

“I played according to my game plan and was really pleased that everything went the way I hoped it would,” he said.

“It might surprise everyone out there but I don’t think it surprised me too much. After all, I’ve been in this position before and, like I said, I played according to my strategy and it worked out well.

“It was a pity that I bogeyed the last as I really couldn’t see the hole from where I was. I three-putted as it was getting dark. But I’ll get to tee off in the morning tomorrow, so it’ll be better.”

Derksen was delighted with his opening round. “That was very good, I enjoyed that,” he said.

“I didn’t hit many bad shots at all, just one three putt on the 16th. I hit the first putt into the grain far too soft and had a four footer left but missed it. Other than that, I hit all the greens and fairways and gave myself plenty of chances.

“The three putt on 16 was the only blemish but I came back with birdies on the 17th and 18th so that gave me a nice feeling about today.”

UBS Hong Kong Open reigning champion Lin Wen Tang made an excellent start to the defence of his trophy with a bogey-free 64 to lie two shots off the pace.

Lin was tied for third place with Frenchman Grégory Bourdy, England’s David Dixon and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand.

Starting from the 10th hole, Lin opened with two straight birdies and added a third at the par-four 17th to reach the turn at three-under.

He picked up two more shots at the fourth and sixth and capped a fine day’s work with a birdie at the par-four ninth.

“I’m very pleased with how I played today especially with my opening two birdies that got my round underway,” said Lin. “That gave me the confidence to go on and play well.

“My swings and putts were almost perfect and I’m hoping it stays this way for the rest of the week.”

Lin, who won last year’s UBS Hong Kong Open after a thrilling playoff duel with Rory McIlroy, is bidding to become the first player since compatriot Hsieh Yung Yo in 1963-64 to win back to back titles at Fanling.

“I’d be lying if I said that there’s no pressure,” he admitted. “We’re professional sportsmen and we all play to win. I said before that if you don’t win, a second place or last place finish will not make any difference.

“I hope to maintain my form, play well over the next three rounds and most importantly stay focused for the challenges ahead.”

Lin’s round was even more impressive given that he was battling a cold.

“I’ve got some sinus trouble and I’m feeling a little under the weather. Maybe that’s why I missed several putts today.

“I’ll just go back to my hotel room, make myself a warm drink, get some rest and hopefully, I’ll get better tomorrow.”

Former British Open champion Ben Curtis of the US and South African star Rory Sabbatini were among nine players on five-under.

England’s Lee Westwood and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, locked in a battle for the European Tour’s Race To Dubai title, both made good starts with matching four-under 66s.

Also on four-under were two of the tournament’s drawcards, recent PGA Championship winner Yang Yong Eun of Korea and American Mark O’Meara, the former British Open and Masters champion.

World No.13 Ian Poulter of England – winner of the Singapore Open two weeks ago – carded a two-under 68.

The UBS Hong Kong Open is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

Honours Even Between Westwood And McIlroy in Hong Kong

Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy remained locked in their Race To Dubai battle when they carded matching four-under-par 66s on the opening day of the UBS Hong Kong Open on Thursday (12 November).

The duo’s efforts left them four shots off the lead in the US$2.5 million showpiece being held at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

World No.4 Westwood mixed six birdies with two bogeys on his debut in the tournament.

“It was good,” said the English ace. “The only green I missed was the last hole I played and that is a tough hole, No.9. I wouldn’t say I flushed it but I had enough control to hit 17 out of 18 greens.

“I had a lot of chances but found the greens very puzzling. I think I’m at a real disadvantage having only played the course once before [in the pro-am].

“It’s alright learning a course tee to green – it’s pretty obvious how you play tee to green – but on the greens, it’s such an advantage having played a few tournaments round here. So to start with four-under 66, I’m delighted.

“The only two bogeys I made were three putts and I had a load of chances.”

Asked what was so tough about the greens, Westwood replied: “The grain. It really does affect the ball, as much as anywhere. Sometimes it breaks up the hill.

“After about six or seven holes I called my caddie in and he had more of an idea. We gradually got it right and I eventually holed a couple.”

As for the Race To Dubai, Westwood said he was trying not to think about it while playing this week. “I’m trying to win the UBS Hong Kong Open and that’s all,” he insisted.

Westwood leads the Race To Dubai with season earnings of €2,404,579 – a lead of €52,320 over McIlroy with just two tournaments remaining, Hong Kong and next week’s Dubai World Championship.

McIlroy – joint runner-up in the UBS Hong Kong Open last year – had five birdies and a lone bogey as he kept pace with his rival.

“There are 54 holes left so it doesn’t matter until Sunday,” the Northern Irish youngster said of his battle with Westwood. “We’re both playing pretty well to be in the positions we’re in so I’m not surprised Lee is up there.

“I’ve just got to keep doing it. I’m not sure if three more 66s will be good enough so I might need to go a little better over the next three days.”

McIlroy admitted that playing in his third straight UBS Hong Kong Open could give him an advantage over Westwood.

“It’s just a question of getting used to the grain,” he said. “I don’t struggle too much. You just have to look to see which way the grass is going and then guess how much the grass is going to affect a putt. There’s no exact science to it.”

Thailand’s Udorn Duangdecha leads the tournament after carding a superb eight-under 62.

The UBS Hong Kong Open is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

Lin Off To Flying Start In Hong Kong

Reigning champion Lin Wen Tang made a blistering start to the defence of his trophy on the first day of the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open on Thursday (November 12).

The Chinese Taipei star carded a bogey-free six-under-par 64 to lie one shot off the lead after morning play at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

Robert-Jan Derksen of Holland led the tournament after returning a seven-under 63.

Lin was tied for second place with Frenchman Grégory Bourdy and England’s David Dixon.

Starting from the 10th hole, Lin opened with two straight birdies and added a third at the par-four 17th to reach the turn at three-under.

He picked up two more shots at the fourth and six and capped a fine day’s work with a birdie at the par-four ninth.

“I’m very pleased with how I played today, especially with my opening two birdies that got my round underway,” said Lin. “That gave me the confidence to go on and play well.

“My swings and putts were almost perfect and I’m hoping it stays this way for the rest of the week.”

Lin, who won last year’s UBS Hong Kong Open after a thrilling playoff duel with Rory McIlroy, is bidding to become the first player since compatriot Hsieh Yung Yo in 1963-64 to win back to back titles at Fanling.

“I’d be lying if I said that there’s no pressure,” he admitted. “We’re professional sportsmen and we all play to win. I said before that if you don’t win, a second place or last place finish will not make any difference.

“I hope to maintain my form, play well over the next three rounds and most importantly stay focused for the challenges ahead.”

Lin’s round was even more impressive given that he was battling a cold.

“I’ve got some sinus trouble this morning and I’m feeling a little under the weather. Maybe that’s why I missed several putts today,” he said.

“I’ll just go back to my hotel room, make myself a warm drink, get some rest and hopefully, I’ll get better tomorrow.”

Derksen was delighted with his opening round. “That was very good, I enjoyed that,” he said.

“I didn’t hit many bad shots at all, just one three putt on the 16th. I hit the first putt into the grain far too soft and had a four footer left but missed it. Other than that, I hit all the greens and fairways and gave myself plenty of chances.

“The three putt on 16 was the only blemish but I came back with birdies on the 17th and 18th so that gave me a nice feeling about today.”

England’s Lee Westwood and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, locked in a battle for the European Tour’s Race To Dubai title, both made good starts with matching 66s.

The UBS Hong Kong Open is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

YE Yang Golfing ing Hong Kong

Yang Yong Eun found himself back on familiar ground and among old, recognizable faces yesterday as soon as he stepped inside the Hong Kong Golf Club. Everything else was unfamiliar.

The star treatment, endless requests for interviews and appearances, large crowds on his tail, even the honorary Asian Tour membership were new for a soft-spoken man still getting accustomed to his stature as Asia's first Major champion. All these seemed a world away from the last time he played at the UBS Hong Kong Open seven years ago, when he finished joint 61st and left as inconspicuously as he arrived.

"This is quite a change of fortunes," the South Korean said. "It's been quite a while since I played on the Asian Tour and it feels really good and I'm very thankful for the hospitality and treatment I've been given."

His new-found fame has made Yang one of the biggest drawcards when the 51st edition of the city's oldest professional sports event tees off today.

However, Yang admits his game has lagged behind his soaring popularity in recent weeks, his whirlwind schedule since an epic victory over Tiger Woods in the US PGA Championship taking a toll on his 37-year- old body.


"This is my ninth event since that win and I've been traveling almost around the world. I'm enjoying it but my body is not following my heart and my brain," he said.

"It's taking a toll on me but hopefully I can work through it. It seems like everything is so rush and I've got to sit back a bit and probably pa
ce myself."

But Yang is confident his form will come around in time for him to carry Asian hopes against a field that includes world No4 Lee Westwood, world No13 Ian Poulter, rising star Rory McIlroy, two-time British Open winner Mark O'Meara and former champions Colin Montgomerie and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

They will do battle on a short and old-fashioned par-70 course in Fan Ling that never fails to produce drama, none more memorable than Taiwanese Lin Wen-tang's play-off win over McIlroy last year.

"It's a course that requires you to put it in all the right spots," said USPGA Tour regular Rory Sabbatini. "It's like a game of chess where you have to get in the right position."

Jeev Leads Indians to Golf in Hong Kong

Three years ago, Hong Kong was where Jeev Milkha Singh confirmed his Asian Tour Order of Merit. But this time around as the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open is all set to tee off, things have changed so much that Jeev will be making only his second appearance in Asia after last week's HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

Jeev leads a strong Indian challenge of 10 players, eight of whom have won on the Asian Tour in past and two of them broke through with maiden wins this season.

Jeev, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit title holder, may not have played much in Asia, but he continues to be one of the top draws in the event. Jeev will tee up with the current Race to Dubai leader, Lee Westwood, and the defending champion of Hong Kong Golf Open, Lin Wen-Tang of Chinese Taipei in the first two rounds. Jeev carries with him happy memories of having whipped Westwood 6-up in his first round of the Volvo World Matchplay earlier this month.


Jeev hoping to finish strongly enough to get back into the World's top-50 in world golf rankings, will have no less than 10 Indians for the company. Gaganjeet Bhullar, winner of Indonesia President Invitational, Chinnaswamy Muniyappa, winner of the Hero Honda Indian Open and Anirban Lahiri, third at the Indian Open, are competing in the event. The trio is seen as the new face of Indian golf, with Bhullar and Lahiri just 21 and 22 years of age and Muniyappa is 32.

Also in the field are Jyoti Randhawa, winner of the Singha Thailand Open, SSP Chowrasia, winner of the Indian Masters ion 2008, Gaurav Ghei, three-time winner on Asian Tour, Shiv Kapur winner of the Volvo Masters of Asia in 2005, Rahil Gangjee, who won in his rookie year back in 2004. Randhawa goes out with Mark Brown and former Major winner, Ben Curtis.

Of the 10 Indians in the fray, only two have not won on Asian Tour - one is Digvijay Singh, who has time and again been in top-3 but not closed in on a title and Lahiri, who in his first full season has four top-10s and has won his last two starts on Indian domestic Tour, including last week.

Yang Hong Kong Golf Master

Yang Yong Eun is hoping golf in Hong Kong’s feel-good factor can inspire a return to the form that saw him make history as Asia’s first Major winner.

The Korean star – one of the main drawcards at this week’s UBS Hong Kong Golf Open – is looking to get back to the performance level that brought about his historic PGA Championship triumph three months ago.

“It’s been quite a while since I’ve been back in Hong Kong and as always, it’s a magnificent city,” said Yang.

“It’s good to be back in the cosmopolitan world. I’ve been suffering a dip in form since my win at the PGA Championship so hopefully this week I can play well and win. That would be really nice.

“This is my ninth event since that win and I’ve been travelling almost around the world. It’s been a very tough schedule. I’m enjoying it but it’s taking a toll, so hopefully I can tolerate and work through it.

“I’ve got three events left this year including this one and if I can get a win or at least a top 10 in any of these then I’ll be really happy.

“Maybe I should take it one step at a time as it seems like everything is so rushed. I’ve got to sit back a bit and pace myself.”


Yang stunned the golf world last August by becoming Asia’s first Major winner when he fended off the challenge of world No.1 Tiger Woods to clinch the PGA Championship.

In doing so, Yang denied Woods his 15th Major success and dented the American’s previously perfect record of turning 14 third round Major leads into wins.

Yang won in style, first overturning Woods’ two shot lead and then eagling the par-four 14th hole to move in front before holding his nerve down the stretch.

The momentous victory catapulted Yang into the world spotlight and means he will be watched far more closely than on his only previous appearance in Hong Kong, when he finished almost halfway down the field in 2002.

“I still see a lot of familiar faces from the last time I was here but the field itself has grown a bit and there are more marquee players around me, but that’s because the tournament has become much bigger,” he said.

“The toughest part is probably the greens as it’s a bit tricky to read the lies.”

Yang is among an array of stars at the US$2.5 million UBS Hong Kong Open, which tees off tomorrow (Thursday) at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

Other elite players on show include world No.4 Lee Westwood and former British Open champions Mark O’Meara and Ben Curtis.

Returning to Fanling are defending champion Lin Wen Tang and the man he beat in last year’s unforgettable playoff duel, world No.17 Rory McIlroy.

The UBS Hong Kong Open – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

Yang was recently given honorary membership of the Asian Tour and he hopes it will inspire other players to try to match his achievements.

“It’s a great honour,” he said. “It’s been quite a while since I played on the Asian Tour and now that I’m recognised as an honorary member, it feels really good and I’m very thankful for the hospitality and treatment that I’ve been given.

“On a golf level, hopefully that honorary membership will inspire a lot of younger players to work harder as ultimately it’ll bring success and reap more benefits.”

The PGA Championship triumph gave Yang – who received a congratulatory phone call from South Korean President Lee Myung Bak – a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour and the Majors.

It was his second success of the year on US soil. In March he shot a two-under-par 68 to win the Honda Classic by one stroke over John Rollins for his first PGA Tour victory.

Yang first came to prominence in 2006 when he held off an elite field, including the impressive chasing pack of Major winners Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen and Woods, to win the Champions event in Shanghai.

It was his third victory of the year following earlier successes in Asia and Japan.

He was voted Korean PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 1997 and, prior to winning in Shanghai, had plied his trade on the Japan Golf Tour, winning four times from 2004.

Sabbatini Golfs in Hong Kong

Rory Sabbatini is aiming to make all the right moves in this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open after likening the tournament course to chess.

“It’s a very traditional course with everything out there in front of you,” the South African star said of the tight par-70 layout at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

“You know exactly what’s ahead. It’s a course which requires you to put it in all the right spots.

“It’s like a game of chess where you have to get in the right position all the way round the golf course. Ultimately you have to putt well to give yourself a good chance.”

Sabbatini is making his second successive appearance in the UBS Hong Kong Open, which tees off tomorrow (Thursday).

“Last year was my first trip to Asia and it was a very entertaining one which I enjoyed very much,” he said.

“The tournament here at the UBS is a very historic one with a lot of tradition and history behind it and it’s a pleasure to be here.”

He agreed that golf in Asia is going through boom times. “I think the whole world realises Asia is becoming more important in every regard. Especially in China, golf is exploding into their culture, it’s very exciting.

“It’s great to see the knowledge of golf expand and it’s now been included in the Olympics so that’s even more exciting. It’s something to keep your eye on.”

Although he claimed his fifth career PGA Tour title at the HP Byron Nelson Championship in Texas last May, Sabbatini feels his season could have been better.

“I’d say even though I won it’s been a disappointing year. I felt I was striking the ball well and doing all the right things but not getting the ball in the hole.

“Ultimately, golf is a game where you have to get the ball in the hole so I was doing things backwards.

“But I learnt a lot about my ability on the course and the way I hit the ball so I’m very excited about next year.”

Sabbatini played an expanded schedule in 2009 but is keeping an open mind about next year. “This is my first year being a member of the European Tour and I have enjoyed it,” he said.

“Next year I can’t make any predictions on my schedule. I play full time on the PGA Tour so that is my first priority and then in regards to the European Tour, it depends on the schedule.

“This week, I just want to go out and put in a good performance.”

Other stars on show in the US$2.5 million UBS Hong Kong Open include Asia’s first Major winner, Yang Yong Eun, world No.4 Lee Westwood and former British Open champions Mark O’Meara and Ben Curtis.

Returning to Fanling are defending champion Lin Wen Tang and the man he beat in last year’s unforgettable playoff duel, world No.17 Rory McIlroy.

In addition, English ace Ian Poulter – the world No.13 and recent winner of the Singapore Open – and Northern Irish star Darren Clarke, a 13-time winner on the European Tour, are in the line-up.

McILROY Relives Golf in Hong Kong Moment

Rory McIlroy is thrilled to be back at the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open, scene of his incredible playoff duel with Lin Wen Tang 12 months ago.

With darkness falling and the packed galleries roaring them on, the duo traded amazing recovery shots before Lin won it with a birdie at the second extra hole.

“I have great memories of playing here last year,” McIlroy, 20, told a press conference at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

“I played well to get into the playoff and then the playoff itself was incredible. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had on a golf course – the atmosphere, the shots that were played. It was getting dark so there were flashes from cameras everywhere, it was amazing.”

The best finish in the tournament’s 50-year history saw Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, Chinese Taipei’s Lin and Francesco Molinari of Italy go toe-to-toe in a three-way playoff on Hong Kongs golf Fanling’s daunting par-four 18th.

Lin looked to have blown his chances when he hooked his tee shot into woods but he staged an amazing escape, hitting his approach high over the trees to six feet from the pin for a birdie to match McIlroy as Molinari was eliminated.

Second time around it was McIlroy’s turn as he hooked a gap wedge 40 yards round a tree to the back edge of the green, only for Lin to fire his own approach to within inches of the pin for the winning birdie.

World No.17 McIlroy admitted he had relived the moment during his practice round on Tuesday. “I played the 18th again today and went over to where Lin Wen Tang hit his shot from and where I hit my shot from.


“It was brilliant, especially his as he was right in the middle of the trees and to get it up and over the trees, through a little gap and on to such a small area of the green was incredible.

“On the journey from the club to the airport afterwards I had a lot of calls and texts saying I was unlucky but it was a big positive for me. I shot 65 in the last round and any other day I would have done more than enough to win the playoff. He went birdie-birdie in the playoff and you can’t beat that.

“Even finishing second I felt very happy as I knew I couldn’t have done any more. Bittersweet memories but it was another week I got myself right in contention. This event last year got me in the top 50 in the world so it was a big event for me.”

McIlroy is currently second in the European Tour’s Race To Dubai standings with earnings of €2,352,259, trailing Lee Westwood by €52,320 with just two events remaining – the UBS Hong Kong Open, which tees off on Thursday, and next week’s Dubai World Championship.

“These two weeks are going to be very good. I love coming to Hong Kong,” said McIlroy.

“It’s my fifth year coming here – twice as an amateur and then this is my third Hong Kong Open. I love the city and the course, it is one of my favourite weeks of the year. Winning this event will take care of catching Lee, so that’s what I’m focusing on.”

World No.4 Westwood is also in the UBS Hong Kong Open line-up together Asia’s first Major winner, Yang Yong Eun, and defending champion Lin.

World No.13 Ian Poulter – recent winner of the Singapore Open – and former British Open champions Mark O’Meara and Ben Curtis are also in the field.

Before his press conference, McIlroy and Chinese No.1 Liang Wenchong conducted a golf clinic for golf in Hong Kong’s Special Olympics golf team and the Northern Irish youngster said it had been a wonderful experience.

“It puts things into perspective,” he said. “It doesn’t matter whether I win or not, I’m very fortunate to be doing what I’m doing.”

The UBS Hong Kong Golf Open – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

Curtis Takes Immediate Liking To Golf in Hong Kong

Ben Curtis has only played 12 holes of the UBS Hong Kong Open course and already he likes what he sees.

“This is a great course,” said the 2003 British Open champion after managing two-thirds of a practice round at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling on Tuesday. “It fits your eye well. You have to shape the ball off the tee. It’s not overly long but it doesn’t need to be to be a good test.”

Curtis is one of the top drawcards at this week’s US$2.5 million UBS Hong Kong Open and he believes Fanling’s tight par-70 layout will suit his game.

“I like courses where you have to think off the tee and not just blast your driver,” said the American. “You have to think about what you are doing and place the shots. There are options which make it fun.

“You don’t have to be long, and I’m not. You have to place it and there are holes where you hit irons off the tee. And the greens are relatively small so you have to be accurate with the irons and that puts a premium on the short game.

“There are some long courses we play with big greens which make it a relatively easy two putt. Here you have to be precise and it’s fun to play.”

Curtis astonished the golf world in 2003 when, as a virtual unknown, he won the British Open at his first attempt. Since then he has consolidated his status as an elite player with two victories on the PGA Tour and he was a member of the United States’ victorious Ryder Cup team last year.

The 32-year-old divides his time between the PGA Tour and European Tour and says he likes playing an international schedule.

“I enjoy playing different parts of the world and if you look at all the world class players, they all won all over the world,” he said. “I’m not there with Nicklaus or Woods, Player or Palmer but if you look at their resumes and see where they won, it’s pretty impressive.

“As Open champion I try and play where I can around the world. To be able to go and say we have the Open champion playing is part of it as well. You play with different guys and I always try and play where the best players are.”

Other stars on show at the UBS Golf in Hong Kong Open include world No.4 Lee Westwood and Asia’s first Major winner, Yang Yong Eun.

World No.13 Ian Poulter – recent winner of the Singapore Open – and former Masters and British Open champion Mark O’Meara are also in the field. Returning to Fanling are defending champion Lin Wen Tang and the man he beat in last year’s unforgettable playoff duel, world No.17 Rory McIlroy.

The UBS Hong Kong Open is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

Westwood Seeks Instant Impact Golfing in Hong Kong

Lee Westwood is in Hong Kong golfing and is concentrating on victory rather than prize
money as he seeks to win the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open at his first attempt. The English ace heads the European Tour’s Race To Dubai with season earnings of €2,404,579 – a lead of €52,320 over Rory McIlroy with just two tournaments remaining.

But Westwood is determined not to let that enter his mind as he makes his golf in Hong Kong debut. “I’m not thinking about the money list this week, I’m thinking more about the UBS Hong Kong Open as it is a very old and prestigious tournament and one I’ve never won,” he said.

“I’d like to win all the titles I haven’t won before, in fact all the tournaments I play, although it doesn’t work that way. But the goal is to win this week.” Westwood is one of the title favourites for the US$2.5 million UBS Hong Kong Open, which tees off this Thursday at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

As world No.4, he is the highest ranked player to appear in the historic tournament since the Official World Golf Ranking system was introduced in 1986. Westwood has enjoyed plenty of success in Asia with victories in Japan, Malaysia and Macau and would love to add Hong Kong to his list.


“I’m obviously looking forward to my first appearance here,” he said. “I’ve been to Hong Kong a couple of times before, just flying through, but this will be the first time playing golf here so I’ll be interested tomorrow morning to see what the course is like and get to know it a little bit.

“I had things to do yesterday and today so tomorrow I’ll play the pro-am and get to know the course, although I’ve watched the tournament on TV over the years.

“It’s very tight and tree-lined but it’s the same as most other courses we play in that if you hit it straight, get it in position and hole a few putts, you generally do well.”

Westwood is delighted to be playing some of the best golf of his career and said getting back to No.4 in the world gave him particular pleasure.

A dip in form in 2001-02 saw him slip down the world rankings and it was a long road back to the top for the Ryder Cup star. He capped his resurgence with victory in last month’s Portugal Masters, his 19th European Tour title.

“My previous highest world ranking was fourth in 2000 so to come through a slump and get back to fourth again means a lot, probably more than anything else I’ve done this year,” he said.

“You look at some people who go through a slump and you don’t see them again, they just drift away. So it says something about my mentality.

“It’s a long way back when you’ve been very successful and then can’t do it to the standard you want. It’s a grind to keep going out on the range and not seeing any improvement and gradually working your way back.”

World No.17 McIlroy – runner-up in the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open last year – is also in this week’s line-up together with Asia’s first Major winner, Yang Yong Eun, and world No.13 Ian Poulter, the recent winner of the Singapore Open.

Former British Open champions Mark O’Meara and Ben Curtis are making their debuts in the tournament while last year’s winner, Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei, is back to defend his crown.

The UBS Hong Kong Open – Hong Kong’s oldest professional golf sporting event, having started in 1959 – is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

Lin Ready to Golf in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Open winner Lin Wen-tang, the defending UBS Golf Hong Kong Open champion, is ready to sparkle again - despite the presence of several of the world's marquee names in this week's field. Exactly 12 months ago, the five-time Asian Tour winner claimed the biggest win of his career when he defeated Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy in a thrilling play-off in this selfsame event of golf in Hong Kong.

After that win at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Lin went on to enjoy further success when he won his fifth Asian Tour title at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters last month - and it wasn't the last time he made headlines, either. Last week the Chinese Taipei star charged into the lead midway through the second round against a star-studded field in the HSBC Champions in Shanghai and a fortnight ago his name once again featured among the front runners at the Singapore Open..

"The field this week at Hong Kong Golf Club is very strong," he admitted yesterday,"but I'm playing well and I'm glad to be back golfing in Hong Kong to defend my title again," said Lin.


Besides having to contend with McIlroy, who made up for his near miss last year by claiming his breakthrough European victory at the Dubai Desert Classic in February, Lin will have to edge past a world-class field that boosts the likes of world number four, Lee Westwood of England and newly honoured Asian Tour honorary member, YE Yang, Korea's reigning PGA Champion.

"I do not want to give myself too much pressure by thinking of winning the title again, but this place has given me many wonderful memories and I hope it'll continue to do so again this week," he said.

The father of two took a four-month break from golf in the middle of the year to spend quality time with his family and it seems to be paying off for he is enjoying an exciting resurgent in form.

"The constant demands of traveling and being away from my family took a toll on me and I decided to take a break from golf for a while especially since I have such a young family," said Lin.

"That time spent with my family was the best I've had since I became a professional golfer. It's tough to be constantly away from your family if you are professional, but I'm grateful to have a very supportive and understanding wife," added Lin.

In the meantime Westwood, who will be making his first appearance in Hong Kong, has promised a strong performance he hopes will see him win the title in his first attempt here.

"I'm obviously looking forward to making my first appearance in the UBS Hong Kong Open. I have watched it on TV over the years and the course here is very tight and tree-lined," said Westwood who currently leads the Race to Dubai.

"I'm not thinking about the money list this week, but thinking more about the UBS Hong Kong Open as it is a very old and prestigious tournament and one I've never won. I would like to win all the titles I've not won before so the goal is to win this week," Westwood said.

McIlroy, however, could well be the wrecker of Westwood's plans - and not because he is determined to make up for the heartbreak of last year when he narrowly lost to Lin, but also because he .believes that he is peaking at the right time and is a better golfer that he was last year. .

"A year on, I feel every day I wake up is a day to learn something new. I feel I need to keep doing that. I am still the same person but my results have been better this year," McIlroy said on Tuesday..

"Experience counts. You can look back and learn from your mistakes. It is a huge factor in golf. Experiences on the course make you learn about your game and yourself," McIlroy added.

Hong Kong Golf Amateur to Plat at Fanling

Daniel Nisbet fired a peerless final round six-under 66 to win the Hong Kong Amateur Golf Championship by two strokes at Discovery Bay Golf Club in Hong Kong. Nisbet finished the championship with a 72-hole total of eight-under 280, with rounds of 72-74-68-66, while Mhark Fernando, the reigning national champion, finished runner-up at 6-under-par.

Nisbet’s victory automatically gives the Queenslander a start in this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. “I’m still trying to fully come to grips about playing this week in the Hong Kong Open,” said the 19-year-old this morning as he was preparing for his first practice run in the co-sanctioned European and Asian Tour event.

“My Hong Kong golf game is strong at present and I’m just looking forward to gaining the experience from playing these professional events.” The win with Hong Kong Amateur also moved Nisbet inside the world’s top-10 amateur ranking to become Australia’s highest ranked world amateur at 9, and has two Australians currently inside that mark with Matt Jager right on the bubble at 10.

“With so many great amateur players coming through in Australia, it’s a real honour to be leading the way,” remarked Nisbet. Nisbet is at the next phase of his development as a player having moved on from the junior ranks where he won virtually everything there was to win. Starts in main professional tour events in the immediate future will do no damage to this.

“To get to that next level you have to experience what it is like to compete on the main tour,” says Nisbet. “That was the plan to come to Asia and play in these events where the opportunities are. You have to plan you schedule around trying to get starts in the bigger events and that may mean going outside Australia.”

This week’s UBS Hong Kong Golf Open is certainly shaping up to be one of the bigger events this year in Asia. Major winners Mark O’Meara and Ben Curtis have been added to what the promotors are describing as the strongest field ever assembled for the US$2.5 million event, that’s co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours. The field includes South African and five time PGA Tour winner, Rory Sabbatini, and reigning European Tour Order of Merit champion Robert Karlsson, plus recent Hong Kong winners Colin Montgomerie and Miguel Angel Jiménez.

“It’s been such a buzz over the last few days,” says Nisbet about playing golf in Hong Kong. “Having coming from Queensland has certainly help me here in Asia, as the greens and courses are similar to back home. It’s starting to sink in now about playing this event [UBS Hong Kong Open] and it is going to be amazing stepping up to the tee this Thursday.”

Despite Nisbet’s relative young age he has the capacity to adapt to the variances associated with top level golf. This is reflective by his recent achievements over the last twelve months, a period which was effectively Nisbet’s first full year out of the junior ranks.

Last season in Australia, Nisbet was simply unstoppable claiming his fourth major amateur title in as many starts after winning the Keperra Bowl in May. He created history with the longest winning major Australian amateur title streak, with winning the Golf SA Amateur Classic at Royal Adelaide in April, the Queensland Men’s Amateur Stroke and the Queensland Men’s Amateur the next month.

Nisbet then headed to the UK and US last June with game and poise, ready to make his mark on the world amateur stage. Three bogeys over the last nine holes at the St Andrews Links Trophy in June cost Nisbet a shot at claiming that championship title, as he finished in a tie for 4th position at 1-over-par and three behind eventual winner, Ireland’s Alan Dunbar.

During his US campaign Nisbet was again unlucky at the Sharlee Players Championship after a costly double bogey during the final round on the 379 yard, par 4 16th at Sahalee Country Club. He’d led the field for the best part of the day, yet the mistake on the 16th resulted him him falling a stroke short from eventual winner Canadian, Nick Taylor.

The 2009 Hong Kong Amateur title goes down as Nisbet’s first major international amateur victory and there are sure to be more to follow. At just 19-years-of age, Nisbet has time on his side to move into the game and make his mark.

“It’s a bit of a relief to finally get that international victory under my belt,” he says.

“I’ve come close twice now and it’s even a bigger thrill to get a start at the Hong Kong Open. I keep learning new things each day, all the practice I’ve done in Melbourne and working with my coach, Ian, has paid off and what has got me here.”

This week Nisbet plans to soak in the atmosphere, play the best he can and draw from the whole experience that is professional tour events.

“Hopefully, I can put a few good numbers on the board and that might open up a few more doors for me,” says Nisbet.

“That’s all that I want to achieve, to set up my career for next year.”

Players of Nisbet’s calibre make you ponder about their pathway ahead and what will come of them. Whilst it is dangerous to make predictions as to grandeur and what might follow, Nisbet’s achievements in a space of a short time are impressive.

Nisbet brings game and form way beyond his teenage years and it’s exciting to follow one of Australia’s most promising prospects as he makes his mark on the international golfing stage. Watch him play golf in Hong Kong at the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open

Karlsson Hopin for Hong Kong Golf Crown

Hong Kong golfer Robert Karlsson is hoping to end a frustrating 2009 season on a high note as he prepares to tee it up in this week's Hong Kong golf Open. The Swede, the reigning European Tour Order of Merit champion, only returned to action in October after four months on the sidelines with an eye injury.

Hong Kong golfer However, he has struggled to recapture the kind of form that saw him finish as European number one last year and has missed three of four cuts since his return. He is hoping a the trip to golf in Hong Kong will provide a turning point and has good reason to be optimistic as he finished second on his last visit to the tournament two years ago.

Then the Hong Kong Bound golfer played some superb golf on his way to a runner-up finish, ending just one shot adrift of winner Miguel Angel Jimenez. The big-hitting Swede kept his driver in the bag for most of the four days as he plotted his way around Fanling's tight par-70 lay-out and is planning on a similar strategy this time around.
Good feeling

"I'm going to have four more events to play, so it's important to hopefully get a couple of decent results in the bag to get a good feeling for next year," Karlsson stated. "It's always good to come back to a tournament where you have played well in the past, it's a good feeling and I want to play golf in Hong Kong as much as the next.

"I'm used to doing well on other courses that are perhaps longer and a bit more open, so it is very good practice for me to learn how to play a course like this. "I really enjoy playing here because it is different from many of the other courses we play on tour. I think I'll only be using my driver on No.6 and that's about it.

"The aim this week is to give myself the best possible chance to have a good result and at the end of the week we'll see where I'm at. It's just good to be here and to be playing this tournament. I'm looking forward to it." I might also buy some golf clubs at Golf Shop Hong Kong - he didnt say that but should

Watch Roberty Bob play golf in Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Golf Club or check out some more at Hong Kong Golf Guide

Anirban Lahiri gets call-up for Hong Kong Golf Open

IANS 9 November 2009, 06:30pm IST

NEW DELHI: Soon after young golfer Anirban Lahiri won his second professional title at the BILT Open on Sunday, he received a call that he has found a berth in the UBS Hong Kong Open.

Lahiri, who is counted in the group of promising youngsters to hit the Asian golf scene in the last one year or so and received a similar late call for Singapore Open last year, was overjoyed at the Hong Kong call-up.

"This is indeed a bonus, getting a berth into the Hong Kong golf Open, which is joint-sanctioned," said Lahiri, while leaving for golf in Hong Kong on Sunday. This is Lahiri's first joint-sanctioned event since Singapore Open last year.

"I am in good form right now, with the Hero Honda Indian Open third place and the BILT Open win, so getting a chance to play a big event is indeed welcome. I am looking forward to it."

The 22-year-old Lahiri turned professional in 2007 after six wins in amateur golf between 2006 and 2007. This is his first full season this year after coming through the Asian Tour Q-School, where he was tied 33rd and earned the card right on the line, as 40 players earned the playing rights and meaning he can play golf in Hong Kong more.

After a couple of modest finishes, he tied for fourth at Black Mountain Masters in Thailand. Then he had a ninth place in Queen's Cup, but it was at the Hero Honda Indian Open last month, where he tied for third that he secured his card for 2010. He followed that up with a ninth place in Iskandar Johor Open the week after Indian Open.


In between Lahiri won the PGTI event in Panchkula for his maiden professional title and then followed that up with another win in BILT Open, the richest ever event on Indian domestic Tour.

"After finishing second in BILT Open behind Jyoti and tying with Jeev, gave me a lot of confidence. But it was after the win in Panchkula that got the monkey off my back," said the Eagleton pro Lahiri, who learnt much of his golf in Bangalore.

In 12 starts Lahiri has earned $125,908 and is currently 28th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. "After last year's Singapore Open, I have not been able to get into any joint-sanctioned events, so the Hong Kong Open ought to be a good experience," said Lahiri, who is also planning to play the Cambodian Open and the season-ending King's Cup in Thailand.

Original Article Here

Poulter Looking Good for Hong Kong Golf Open

Ian Poulter will head into next week’s UBS Hong Kong Open on a high after winning the eighth European Tour title of his career at the weekend.

The English ace kept his nerve down the stretch to complete a wire-to-wire victory in the Singapore Open, edging out Chinese No.1 Liang Wenchong by one shot.

Both players are included in the stellar field for the US$2.5 million UBS Hong Kong Open, to be staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November.

Poulter is looking for a late charge up the European Tour’s Race To Dubai money list, with Hong Kong set to play a pivotal part as the penultimate ranking event before the season-ending Dubai World Championship.

His Singapore victory moved him up to 10th place with season earnings of €1,342,559 – almost €1 million behind leader Lee Westwood but with plenty to play for in the closing weeks.

Westwood is also confirmed to play in Hong Kong together with Rory McIlroy, third in the Race To Dubai standings, and Paul Casey, who is currently fifth.

“It's great to win but there is more to winning right now,” said Poulter.

“It’s the right time to win as the Ryder Cup points have now started and I wanted to come out and put as much money on the board as I possibly could.

“I’ve got off to a great start. I’ve got three more tournaments included for the Race To Dubai and I would like to think that I can have a chance to push Rory or Lee all the way.

“It's an exciting few weeks leading to Dubai and I am very much looking forward to getting to Shanghai (for this week’s Champions event) and staying fresh and working on a few shots which got away from me this week.

“I’ve got better things to come over the next three weeks, I’m only going to get better.”

Poulter had seen his five-shot halfway lead wiped out during the weather-hit Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club but battled back over the closing holes.

With Liang in the clubhouse at nine-under-par following a final round of one-under 70, Poulter stood on the 18th tee with a one-stroke lead.

And the 33-year-old held his nerve to make par for a one-over 72 and a winning total of 10-under 274.

It was his first win since the Dunlop Phoenix in Japan in 2007 and his first on the European Tour since Madrid the previous year.

“Coming out today I made some mistakes to make it too close for comfort,” said a relieved Poulter. “But to stand on the last knowing I had to make five, I was pretty happy.”

Other stars confirmed for the UBS Hong Kong Open include Asia’s first Major winner, Yang Yong Eun of Korea, defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei and Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, a 13-time winner on the European Tour.

The tournament – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – will once again be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

More UBS Hong Kong Golf Open History

Moving with Times, But Never Forgetting the Past at the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open

Heritage dictates the status of any sporting competition and the place it occupies in the public’s heart，and that is why the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open will always be the jewel in the crown of Asian golf.

"Some Hong Kong golf tournaments that haven’t been around as long might focus on prize money as a way of making headlines, others might go out of their way to entice star players," says Hong Kong Golf Association chief executive Iain Valentine.

"Of course, the UBS Hong Kong Open has fantastic prize money and some world class golfers in the field but, most of all, it has history.The tournament has been going for almost half a century and, during that time, it has featured great players, famous shots and moments of incredible sporting drama. Other tournaments in Asia simply don’t have this kind of appeal.

"When you think that the list of past winners includes eight Major champions, including all-time greats like Peter Thomson, Greg Norman, Tom Watson and Bernhard Langer, then you can start to appreciate the tournament’s heritage."

The Hong Kong Golf Open was first staged in 1959 and has been held every year since at the magnificent Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. The seeds were sown the year before, when HKGC member Kim Hall wrote to an Australian professional, Eric Cremin, asking if any of the Australian players due to take part in the 1959 Philippines Open would be interested in coming to Hong Kong afterwards.

Cremin enquired what money was on offer, so Hall approached the South China Morning Post and asked it to sponsor a professional tournament at Fanling. The Post agreed to put up P1,000 in prize money and the event became reality.

The inaugural tournament was captured by a young Taiwanese player, Lu Liang Huan, who secured a one-shot victory over a field that included some highly rated Australian stars.

The same player would become the HKGC’s resident professional from 1962-64 before gaining worldwide fame as the pork-pie hat-wearing “Mr Lu” who finished runner-up to Lee Trevino in the 1971 British Open. He returned to Fanling in 1974 to regain the Hong Kong Open crown.

The tournament has undergone many changes since the early days. Originally played each February, when it was at the mercy of rain, the Open switched to its current end-of-year slot in 1991.

Playing standards have risen, a trend accelerated when the European Tour began co-sanctioning the event in 2001, while prize money has soared, especially since UBS took over title sponsorship in 2005. A total of US$2.25 million is on offer this year.

Rich in tradition, yet thoroughly modern in approach, the Open continues to attract the game’s elite players, all keen to make their mark on a storied event.

As 2005 winner Colin Montgomerie stresses: “It was a real honour to see my name go on the trophy alongside some very famous names. And with the boost in prize money, UBS has really established the tournament as one of the elite events in the region.”

So welcome, everyone, to the UBS Hong Kong Open, a sporting event that moves with the times – but never forgets its past.

Hong Kong Golf Open History

Lu, Thomson and Ollie Make Marks in Hong Kong History

For almost 50 years the UBS Hong Kong Open has brought elite golf to one of the world’s most dynamic cities, one known for its spectacular skyline and vibrant lifestyle.

In a part of the world where golf’s relative lack of history is belied by its recent growth in popularity, the tradition and heritage of the tournament – the third-eldest golf tournament in the region and the longest-running sporting event in Hong Kong – is unique.

The Hong Kong Golf Open was established in 1959, played then – as it has been every year since – at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. That tournament was won by Chinese Taipei’s Lu Liang-huan, who, 12 years later, wearing a bright blue pork pie hat, a nickname of ‘Mr Lu’ and cheery grin, would shock the golfing world by very nearly defeating Lee Trevino at the Open at Royal Birkdale. Lu would add another Hong Kong title in 1974.

Peter Thomson, the five-time Open champion, a player who took it upon himself to get behind golf in Asia at a time when travel in the region was a difficult challenge, was one of event’s biggest supporters in the early days.

He went on to pocket three titles in the 1960s, the first of some eight players to have won both a Major championship and the Hong Kong Open. Another Chinese Taipei player, Hsieh Yung-yo, the back-to-back champion in 1963-1964, has posted four victories to be the most prolific champion in the event’s history.

From those early days, though, the UBS Hong Kong Open moved very much into the big time. Dual Open champion Greg Norman is another multiple winner, while also having seen their names etched on the tournament trophy are Major winners such as Ian Woosnam, Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer and Jose Maria Olazábal.

In 2001, the year of Olazábal’s victory, another significant milestone was achieved when the event was joint-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours for the first time. In 2005, Colin Montgomerie recorded a popular victory on his first professional visit to the event after James Kingston suffered heartbreak at the notorious 18th hole at Fanling.

Still one of just a handful of tournaments of such history to have been played continuously at a single venue, the US Masters at Augusta National is another, the UBS Hong Kong Open will be played from November 15-18 this year, a spectacular time of year in the southern Chinese autumn.

More than 130 of the world’s best players will gather to compete for a prize fund that has been raised to US$2.25 million in 2007. However, competition will be tougher than ever in the battle for the record prize purse, with a slew of the best players from the Asian and European Tours once again vying for this famous title.

Turning £1,000 Into US$2.25 Million at The UBS Hong Kong Golf Open

It was back in 1958 that Hong Kong Golf Club member Kim Hall wrote to an Australian professional, Eric Cremin, asking if any of the Australian players due to take part in the 1959 Philippines Open would be interested in coming to golf in Hong Kong afterwards.

Cremin enquired what money was on offer so Hall approached the South China Morning Post and asked it to sponsor a professional tournament at Fanling. The Post agreed to put up P1,000 in prize money and the rest, as they say, is history. Since then, the Hong Kong Open has grown into one of the SAR’s biggest annual sporting events and one of the jewels in the crown of Asian and Hong Kong golf.

Hugh Staunton, a member of the HKGC since 1958 and club captain in 1999 and 2000, has watched more Hong Kong Opens than most and can recall the early years. "It was a small tournament to begin with, but it was still very exciting because it was the first professional sports event in Hong Kong," he says.

"We were very much cut off from sporting events in other parts of the world, so to be able to watch great players like Peter Thomson and Kel Nagle was a wonderful experience. They were golfing heroes.

"I remember one particular round by Nagle on the New Course when he had five twos – he made a birdie at every par three, which was quite exceptional. It was also less formal back then. Some of the pros stayed at the clubhouse and spent quite a bit of time with the members. And there were more amateurs playing."

At that inaugural Hong Kong golf tournament in 1959, the highly rated Australian contingent duly arrived, only to be eclipsed by a young Taiwanese player, Lu Liang Huan, who secured a one-shot victory. The same player would become the HKGC’s resident professional from 1962-64 before gaining worldwide fame as the pork-pie hat-wearing "Mr Lu" who finished runner-up to Lee Trevino in the 1971 British Open. He returned to Fanling in 1974 to regain the Hong Kong Golf Open crown.


Following Lu's initial success, Australians dominated the Hong Kong Open, winning seven tournaments in the 1960s, with four-time British Open champion Thomson leading the way on three occasions.

Taiwanese players won the event five times in a row in the 1970s, including two successes for Hsieh Yung Yo that took his total to four, which remains a record. The Taiwanese run was interrupted by a young Australian called Greg Norman, who won his first Hong Kong Open title in 1979 and added another four years later. Another landmark arrived in 1987 when Welshman Ian Woosnam became the first European winner.

Until this point, the Hong Kong Open had always been held in February, which left it at the mercy of the weather. Norman’s second victory came when the tournament was reduced to 36 holes due to rain and the 1990 edition, won by American Ken Green, was almost washed out. After that, it moved to its present December slot.

The winners' roster in the Nineties included Major champions Bernhard Langer and Tom Watson before another significant change in 2001 when the European Tour began co-sanctioning the Hong Kong Open. And 2005 saw a new era dawn as UBS began a four-year title sponsorship that brings with it a significant increase in prize money.

From humble beginnings – a simple letter from a member of the HKGC to an Australian professional – the Hong Kong Open now boasts global status. As Hong Kong Golf Association chief executive Iain Valentine summarises: “The UBS Hong Kong Open is one of a select few world-class sports events held annually in Hong Kong and it has a history and heritage that other golf tournaments in the region cannot match.

Prestige, tradition and location – the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open truly has it all.

Follow all the action of Golf in Hong Kong at www.golfinhongkong.com

Hong Kong Golf Qualifiers

Rahil Gangjee will be looking to end a difficult year on a high after booking his place in next month's UBS Hong Kong Golf Open. The Indian star secured one of three spots in the US$2.5 million showpiece when the international qualifying tournament was finally completed today (21 October) after being suspended on Tuesday due to bad weather at the Palm Resort Golf and Country Club in Johor, Malaysia.

Gangjee posted a five-under-par 67 in the one-round shootout and was joined on that total by Thailand's Udorn Duangdecha and Nick Redfern of England as all three secured their places in the main draw for this golf in Hong Kong event.

The Hong Kong golf bound trio finished one shot clear of South African Jbe Kruger, Thailand's Sattaya Supupramai – one of last year's successful qualifiers – and Chang Tse Peng of Chinese Taipei. Gangjee, 31, was considered one of India's rising stars when he burst on the Asian Tour scene in 2004. But he has struggled with his game in the past two years and has posted just one top-10 finish this season.

He will have his chance on the big stage again when the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Golf Open is held at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November. The world-class field will be spearheaded by Korean ace Yang Yong Eun, who became Asia's first Major winner when he triumphed at the US PGA Championship in August.

Also in the line-up will be defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei and the man he beat in last year's unforgettable playoff duel, brilliant Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy. The tournament – golf in Hong Kong's oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – will once again be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

Four Hong Kong golf professionals – William Fung, Lokky Lee, Chris Tang and Derek Fung – booked their UBS Hong Kong Golf Open places at last week’s domestic qualifying tournament. Stay tuned to golfinhongkong.com for all coverage of the Hong Kong Golf Open

Casey Out of Hong Kong Golf Open

A recurrence of the rib injury which saw him miss three months earlier in the season, saw Paul Casey have to retire from the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai and will miss the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open

The 32 year old Englishman completed two holes of his final round at the Sheshan International Golf Club but was unable to continue after feeling pain in his intercostal muscle once again. Casey immediately made plans to return to the United States to see a specialist, meaning he will miss next week's UBS Hong Kong Golf Open. A decision will be made next week in relation to his participation in the season-ending Dubai World Championship in two weeks time.

Guy Kinnings, Casey's manager at IMG, said: "He’s had pain before but he felt it severe enough to realise that it was something different. We always agreed that if he felt that, he would stop. So I'm going to get him home (to America) tonight to see a specialist he's been working with.

"He's sufficiently concerned to want to see him straight away because he doesn't know if this means a recurrence which will mean him out for a while or maybe just a worrying tweak and he’ll be okay. But for sure, he needs to go do that straight away.

"So he'll get back there. I'm not going to make any decisions beyond just saying he can't play Hong Kong, which he is hugely disappointed about. But he can't right now. He needs to go get it looked at.

"He was going to play golf in Hong Kong, Dubai, and then I think Tiger's event and that was it. So, you know, as you can imagine, he still very much felt he had a chance to win The Race to Dubai. That's why he's been aiming to come back this week and next week. So we are just going to have to wait and see."

Danny Lee and Mark Brown Hong Kong Golfers

Kiwi golfers Danny Lee and Mark Brown have resisted the urge to join world No 1 Tiger Woods at the Australian Masters in Melbourne this week and instead will contest the Hong Kong Golf Open.

Lee will be making his first appearance in Hong Kong golf after being forced out last year with what was later diagnosed as chicken pox. The Hong Kong golf tournament is a co-sanctioned Asian and European Tour event and boasts a prize fund of $US2.5 million ($NZ3.50 million), more than double on offer at the Australian Masters starting on Thursday.

Lee ended his HSBC Champions campaign in Shanghai today with a final round 74 for a disappointing seven-over tally of 295. Brown was more upbeat after seizing back-to-back birdies mid-round in a four-under 68 to finish in a tie for 31st on 284, 13 shots behind the winner, American Phil Mickelson.

It marked his lowest closing display all season, and was only the fourth occasion in 13 events, when he has played all four days, that he has broken 70.


He recorded five birdies, and just one bogey at his second hole, before ending with seven successive pars.

"It's nice to end the week with my lowest round but it's stupid to say, because I have been playing better than some of the scores I've been shooting," Brown said. "But finally I've had a week here in Shanghai where I have played half-decent for once." Brown had qualified for the event due to his high placing on the 2008-09 Australasian Order of Merit and he will head to Hong Kong for his last event of the season.

"It was a real bonus getting into this Shanghai event especially after the year I've had because I really don't deserve to be here," Brown said bluntly. "However I played here last year so I knew the course pretty well and that has been a great help. "But over the past month, golf has been really challenging and my scores have been awful but I feel as though it is starting to all turn around.

"Then you never know, a decent result in Hong Kong golf next week could turn it into a pretty decent year."

Full coverage of the Hong Kong Golf Open at www.golfinhongkong.com

Hong Kong Golf This Week

The stars of the Asian Tour will tee off at this week’s UBS Hong Kong Golf Open with every intention of ending their season on a high note.

As the third last ranking event that counts towards the Asian Tour Order of Merit, the US$2.5 million showpiece at the Hong Kong Golf Club will be crucial to many players who are looking to elevate their position on the ranking.

With the Order of Merit crown now reduced to a two-man race between Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and China’s Liang Wen-chong, attention will be turned towards the other contenders in the star-studded field that includes Asian Tour winners such as Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, Australia’s Scott Hend and India’s Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh.

Hong Kong Golf Victory will be worth US$416,660 for the winner and will have a huge bearing on the Order of Merit battle as the 2009 Asian Tour season heads towards an exciting finish. Two more events, the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open and King’s Cup in Thailand, will be played following the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open.

A three-time Asian Tour winner, Chapchai produced good early season form and wrote his name into the record books with a 32-under-par winning total in the SAIL Open in India earlier this season.

The burly Thai, nicknamed “King Kong” by his fellow pros, however struggled with his game in recent months but has since regained his form with a second place finish at the Iskandar Johor Open last month.

With the Asian Tour season drawing to a close, the 26-year-old will be eager to ride on his return to form and enjoy his early success again. (AsianTour.com)

Open Champs to Golf in Hong Kong

Former Major winners Mark O'Meara and Ben Curtis have been added to the strongest field ever assembled for the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open. The American duo - both former Open Championship winners - will be making their debuts in the US$2.5 million showpiece.

They are joined by South African ace Rory Sabbatini - who has five PGA Tour titles to his name - and reigning European Tour Order of Merit champion Robert Karlsson, plus recent Hong Kong winners Colin Montgomerie and Miguel Angel Jiménez. "It is, far and away, the best field ever seen in Hong Kong," said Martin Capstick, managing director of the tournament promoter, Parallel Media Group who have a heavy presence in Hong Kong golf.

"The latest player confirmations, together with those already unveiled, mean we have 14 of the world's top 50 according to the Official World Golf Ranking, which is unprecedented. "We have 40 of the leading 60 players in the European Tour's Race To Dubai - including four of the top six - and all the top 10 in the Asian Tour's Order of Merit."

The latest players to be announced join a star-studded line-up that already includes world No.4 Paul Casey, world No.5 Lee Westwood - the current Race To Dubai leader - and Asia's first Major winner, Yang Yong Eun. The 2009 UBS Hong Kong Golf Open will be staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November.

O'Meara has 16 PGA Tour victories to his name and enjoyed an incredible year in 1998 when he won both the Masters Tournament and the Open Championship and then beat his close friend Tiger Woods in the final of the World Match Play. Aside from his Open triumph, achieved at Royal Birkdale in Lancashire, he has three other European Tour titles to his name, the last being the Dubai Desert Classic in 2004.

"Over my career, I have always prided myself on playing all over the world, so to finally make my debut in the UBS Hong Kong Open is very special," said O'Meara. "I have heard from a number of my friends on Tour how great the tournament is and, since I already love the city of Hong Kong, I'm very excited about the week.

"I'm also going to try my hardest to get an American name back on that trophy - I understand the last US player to win was 14 years ago, so I'll be shooting to change that!" Curtis astonished the golf world in 2003 when, as a virtual unknown, he won the Open at Royal St George's in Kent - so becoming the first player since Francis Ouimet at the 1913 US Open to win a Major at his first attempt.

He also jumped from 396th to 35th in the Official World Golf Ranking, the biggest single leap since the ranking system began in 1986. Since then he has consolidated his status as an elite player with two victories on the PGA Tour and was a member of the United States' victorious Ryder Cup team last year.

"I am delighted to be making my debut in November at the UBS Hong Kong Open," said Curtis. "As a member of the European Tour, I have always enjoyed competing in the great events around the world, and I know the history of this event is very strong.

"All you have to do is take a look at the strength of the field which UBS has assembled this year to know how respected this tournament is. "And its place on the schedule is very important as well, with this being the final chance to qualify for the Dubai World Championship. I need to make up some ground on that list so I'm looking forward to a great week at the UBS.

"I'm sure the golf fans in Hong Kong will enjoy some fantastic golf during the week."
Other stars confirmed for the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open include defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei and the man he beat in last year's unforgettable playoff duel, brilliant Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy, who is currently No.18 in the world.

In addition, English ace Ian Poulter - who leapt up to world No.15 with his victory in last week's Singapore Open - and Northern Irish star Darren Clarke, a 13-time winner on the European Tour, are in the line-up. Also vying for honours will be brilliant New Zealand teenager Danny Lee, who became the youngest winner in European Tour history when, aged 18 years and 213 days, he won last February's Johnnie Walker Classic while still an amateur.

An ultra-strong Asian contingent will be led by Korean icon Yang and the man currently second to him in the continent's rankings, India's Jeev Milkha Singh, a player with three European Tour victories to his name. Also confirmed are Thai ace Thongchai Jaidee, who leads the Asian Tour's Order of Merit with earnings of US$937,658, and Chinese No.1 Liang Wenchong, presently second in the money list and runner-up to Poulter in Singapore.

The UBS Hong Kong Open - Hong Kong's oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 - will once again be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours. The tournament has been won by nine Major champions: Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Orville Moody, Greg Norman, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Tom Watson, José María Olazábal and Padraig Harrington.

This year's UBS Hong Kong Golf Open is the penultimate ranking event on the European Tour schedule, taking place a week before the season-ending Dubai World Championship. With only the top 60 golfers on the European Tour money list eligible to play in Dubai, the Hong Kong event has assumed even greater significance with players scrambling to secure their spot in the season finale.

The Hong Kong golf Open is the third-last event counting towards the Order of Merit on the 2009 Asian Tour calendar. Come back for more news on the Hong Kong Golf Open at Golfinhongkong.com

10 Great Things to Do Other than Golf in Hong Kong

Golf in Hong Kong is great but what else is there to do in one of our favorite tourist destinations in Asia. Hong Kong is not just known for its wonderful shopping experience as well as modern way of living. If you are going to play golf in Hong Kong, prepare yourself for a wonderful blending of Western and Eastern cultures. Here's a list of 9 things to do other than golf in hong kong

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #1: Repulse Bay
So far, this is Hong Kong's most famous beach. Here, you will get to see the Chinese Pavilion that is home to statues of the traditional Chinese gods. This is also a wonderful place if you want to have a leisurely stroll and immerse yourself in Hong Kong sights and sounds.

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #2: Stanley Village
This is a very popular seaside village, and many tourists flock here yearly. You can find here a very trendy shopping center as well as the infamous Stanley Market where you can find lots of bargain items. This is also a good place for you to buy your souvenirs.

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #3: Ride the Peak Tram
This is the best way if you want to reach the area called the Peak. Once you are in the Peak Tram, prepare yourself for the dizzying sights below and enjoy the seven-minute ride to the top. If you are afraid of heights though, this ride is not for you.

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #4: Victoria Peak
This is where your Peak Tram ride ends. Once you reach Victoria Peak, be enthralled at the wonderful sight of the city below, especially if you visit Victoria Peak at night when Hong Kong city lights are brightly shining. You can also find excellent restaurants here, and what better way to enjoy dinner than having a beautiful sight at the same time?

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #5: SoHo
If you want the best of the modern world, then come to SoHo. In this place, you will surely enjoy the many international restaurants and bars that are located here as well as the shops. Be prepared for the night of your life here.


Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #6: Ride the Ngong Ping 360
Like the Peak Tram, this is not for those who are afraid of heights, but to those who are not, then be prepared for this beautiful cable car ride towards the Giant Buddha. During this ride, you will get fabulous 360-degree views of Hong Kong's rugged terrain and the sea. The wonderful sight of the fertile valley below is truly something.

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #7: Lin Monastery and the Giant Buddha
Your ride on the Ngong Ping will take you to these two tourist attractions. Here, you will get the chance to visit the Po Lin Monastery and enjoy its unique structure. Plus, you will also be fascinated by the seated Giant Buddha.

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #8: Walk on the Wisdom Path
This is surely something that a tourist must do when in Lantau Island, Hong Kong. This is also called the Heart Sutra. Here, you will see wooden pillars where the prayers are written, and what is interesting about it is that the pillars are arranged in the infinity symbol.

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #9: Tai O Fishing Village
For a firsthand experience of Hong Kong culture, visit the fishing village of Tai O. You will surely become fascinated with the houses that are built on stilts along the creek. The families who live here are said to be direct descendants of the first settlers of Hong Kong and are called the Hanka People.

For more about Hong Kong visit the webs two most comprehensive sources on golf in Hong Kong: golfinhongkong.com and hongkonggolfguide.com