'I am looking forward very much to defending my title,' says the Spaniard
Cigar-chomping defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez and the European Tour's current number one Colin Montgomerie will be among a star-studded field competing for record prize money at December's UBS Hong Kong Open at Fanling.
Organisers yesterday confirmed that colourful Spaniard Jimenez would be back to defend the title he won by one shot last year, warding off a stiff last-day challenge from Ryder Cup teammate Padraig Harrington of Ireland and James Kingston of South Africa.
'I am looking forward very much to defending my title, and in particular returning to Asia. I have so many great memories from last year,' said Jimenez in a taped video message. 'I love coming to Hong Kong - the people are so friendly and they really enjoy their golf.'
Jimenez will be returning to a changed tournament - different sponsors and more money to be won. UBS, one of the world's top financial firms, has taken over as title sponsor from Omega. They have signed on for four years - from this year's 47th Hong Kong Open to the 50th Open in 2008.
'We are committed to making the Hong Kong Open one of the biggest golf tournaments in Asia. We have increased the prize money this year by 50 per cent and by the time the 50th anniversary comes around, the prize money will double,' said Ned Wills, head of sponsorship for UBS, yesterday.
The December 1-4 tournament, which is co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours, will offer record prize money of US$1.2 million, up from US$800,000 last year. The sponsors have promised to raise the prize money every year, and up to US$ 2.5 million in 2008.