Nine years have passed since an Asian player - South Korea's Kang Wook-soon (pictured) - won the Open at Fanling. And it won't be any easier for the region's players to break the famine this weekend.
Two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen and 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir will pose considerable obstacles to the Asian Tour players who will be hoping to break the stranglehold.
Goosen, winner of the US Open in 2001 and 2004, returns for his second appearance in Hong Kong, determined to make amends for missing the cut last year.
'I let myself down on the greens. It's a challenging course that tests every aspect of a player's game and puts the accent firmly on accuracy,' Goosen said. 'I know there will be a top-class field with plenty of contenders for the title and hopefully I'll be one of them on the final day.'
Goosen now knows what is required on the short but testing composite course but for Weir, who will be making his first appearance, it will be a case of learn as you go.
'The tournament has had some great champions down the years, but never one from Canada, so I'll be doing my best to be the first,' said Weir.