Resurgent Olazabal first big-name player for Hong Kong Open

Spanish sensation Jose Maria Olazabal has been signed up to play at this year's Hong Kong Open at Fanling.

Organisers, who said yesterday that they had pulled off a huge coup in signing up the former US Masters champion, have promised that more big names would be in store for the November 26-29 tournament.

'We will be going out aggressively after players,' said Steve Feuerstein, president of Sports International, the Open's promoters.

'Olazabal is one of the most sought-after marquee players in the game today and after nearly three years of intense effort, it will be a great honour to welcome him to Hong Kong this year,' added Feuerstein.

The oldest sporting tournament in Hong Kong - this year it will be celebrating its 48th anniversary - is pinning its hopes of attracting more big names on the fact that it is conveniently scheduled on the international calendar this year.

The Hong Kong Open is sandwiched between two major tournaments - the World Cup and the Million Dollar Challenge in South Africa. It will be staged one week after the World Cup in New Zealand (from November 19-22) and one week prior to the South African event.

'This will give us a unique opportunity to sign a variety of players competing in the World Cup and who will choose to compete in Hong Kong en route to South Africa, or back to Europe,' said an Open spokesman.