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Andrew McNicol

Peel off the first layer of big shot names headlining at this year's UBS Hong Kong Open and you will find a pool of golfing talent, not least of which comes from Asia.
Follow live updates from the Hong Kong Open
Following a rather lacklustre performance by Japan's world number five Hideki Matsuyama at the Dunlop Phoenix last week, lesser known Asian golfers are ready to pounce for a rare spot in the limelight in Fanling this weekend.
Here are six Asian golfers to watch out for at the Open:

Li Haotong (China) – world ranking 57
The 22-year-old may have missed the Open cut in 2015, but Li’s career has skyrocketed ever since. The Hunan native stunned the world in July after shooting a seven-under 63 at the British Open – the 32nd ever recorded in a major championship. He also became the first mainland golfer to make the cut at the US Open in June.
There are few golfers sharing the weight of expectations of the 1.38 billion-strong country, but outstanding performances on the European circuit allows for Li to sit firmly at the helm of China's mission to crown its first world number one. He will be looking to open his new European Tour account with a bang in Hong Kong.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thailand) – world ranking 60
Previously dubbed the ‘Asian John Daly’ for his rather hefty size, Thailand’s Kiradech has multiple European Tour wins under his belt and represented his country at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The 28-year-old is fresh off a tied second-place performance in Dubai last week – finishing ahead of superstars Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia – and a tied sixth-place finish in Turkey earlier in the month. Kiradech is not short of good form and will want to improve upon his highest Hong Kong Open finish: seventh in 2011.

Wang Jeung-hun (South Korea) – world ranking 102
The ‘Korean Sniper’, as he is known in Europe, is one of Asia’s most promising golfers to emerge in recent years. The 22-year-old was awarded the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year in 2016 after winning the Trophee Hassan II and Mauritius Open in the same year. He also earned the nickname ‘Nomad’ due to his busy Asian and European Tour schedules.
Since clinching the Qatar Masters at the top of 2017, Wang’s performances have teetered off in recent months, suggesting he still lacks the experience to make the next step up. This may be his opportunity to get back on the horse.
 

Gaganjeet Bhullar (India) – world ranking 167
Bhullar has eight Asian Tour titles to his name, the latest being the Macau Open in October. Despite his inability to transfer these performances to co-sanctioned European Tour events, Bhullar feels it is only a matter of time until the results flow and he fins his way on to the PGA Tour.
The 29-year-old is quite a way off of being his country’s top golfer – fellow Indian Anirban Lahiri is ranked 61st in the world – but Bhullar has the potential to go much further.
 

Hung Chien-yao (Taiwan) – world ranking 453
Hung, 27, was not a particularly familiar face from the Asian Tour until recently, where he secured three top-10 finishes from his last seven tournaments, including an impressive fourth place in Macau last month.
A glance at Hung’s world ranking only cements his label as a longshot to win the Open, but Tawian’s stand-out performer this year has nothing to lose this week.
 

Leon D'Souza (Hong Kong) – amateur
The Hong Kong teenager secured a spot at the Open after winning the Hong Kong Close Amateur Championship this year. The 18-year-old set a course record nine-under-par 61 on Hong Kong Golf Club’s New Course in the first round and knows the championship Composite Course better than anyone else in the field.
D'Souza has proven his talent on the local scene time and time again, but he must seize his opportunity on the big stage as he leads the way for his fellow untested Hong Kong teammates.


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Honma Hong Kong Open

UBS Hong Kong Open

Six golfers to watch at the Hong Kong Open

China’s Li Haotong. Photo: Reuters

Macao golf Open action for sport - Hung Chien-yao of Taiwan chats to his caddy during the second round of the Venetian Macao Open at the Macau Golf and Country Club on October 16. SCMP Pictures (UNDATED HANDOUT)

Leon D'Souza on his way to winning the 2017 Hong Kong Close Amateur Championship at Fanling. Photo: Hong Kong Golf Association

CORRECTION - This handout from the Asian Tour taken and received on October 22, 2017 shows Gaganjeet Bhullar of India posing with his trophy after winning the Macau Open 2017 at the Macau Golf and Country Club in Macau. India's Gaganjeet Bhullar held his nerve to complete a wire-to-wire victory and lift his eighth Asian Tour title at the Macau Open on Sunday. / AFP PHOTO / ASIAN TOUR / Arep KULAL / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / ASIAN TOUR / AREP KULAL" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - NO ARCHIVE / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Arep KULAL has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [byline should read: Arep Kulal] instead of [Candida Ng]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the sam

Li Haotong of China during the practice round of the UBS Hong Kong Open on 21 November 2017 at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong. Mandatory credit: Richard Castka/Sportpixgolf.com

Golf - European Tour - Alfred Dunhill Links Championship - St Andrews, Britain - October 8, 2017 Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat during the final round Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

South Korea's Wang Jeunghun (R) celebrates upon winning the Qatar Masters golf tournament at the Doha Golf Club in Doha on January 29, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / KARIM JAAFAR

China number one Li Haotong only has one thing on his mind at Hong Kong Open – victory

China’s Li Haotong comes to Hong Kong without a win this year. Photo: Reuters

Justin Rose of England plays a shot on the 2nd fairway during the final round of the DP World Tour Championship golf tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Li Haotong of China poses during the launch event for the HSBC-World Golf Championships in Shanghai on October 24, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / CHANDAN KHANNA

Tommy Fleetwood of England poses with the Race to Dubai trophy at the end of the final round of the DP World Tour Golf Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 19, 2017, in Dubai. Fleetwood won the European Tour Order of Merit after a tense battle with Justin Rose that was decided only on the 72nd green of the DP World Tour Championship, the final event of the season. Spain's Jon Rahm won the $8 million (6.8 million euros) tournament, firing a five-under par 67 that gave him a one-shot advantage at 19-under par 269 over Ireland's Shane Lowry (63) and Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat (67). / AFP PHOTO / KARIM SAHIB

China's Li Haotong hopes to use Hong Kong Open as springboard to hit the big time

China No 1  Li Haotong came close to winning the Shenzhen Open in April, but lost to Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat in a sudden-death play-off. Photos: SCMP Pictures

The Hong Kong Open will be Li Haotong's seventh European Tour event.

Can Li Haotong change golf? – China star shoots brilliant 63 in final round of British Open

China's Li Haotong celebrates on the 18th during the final round of the British Open. Photo: AP

Golf - The 146th Open Championship - Royal Birkdale - Southport, Britain - July 23, 2017 China’s Haotong Li walks down the 18th fairway during the final round REUTERS/Stringer

China's Li Haotong celebrates on the 18th with South Africa's Ernie Els during the final round of the British Open Golf Championship, at Royal Birkdale, Southport, England, Sunday July 23, 2017. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)

China’s Li Haotong makes history at US Open as Hideki Matsuyama magic leads Asian challenge

Li Haotong poses for a photo at the US Open. Photo: AFP

Jun 16, 2017; Erin, WI, USA; Hideki Matsuyama plays his shot from the tenth tee during the second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Erin Hills. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

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Apart from the favourites, keep an eye out for Li Haotong, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Wang Jeunghun, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Hung Chien-yao and Leon D’Souza


Six golfers to watch at the Hong Kong Open

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Apart from the favourites, keep an eye out for Li Haotong, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Wang Jeunghun, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Hung Chien-yao and Leon D’Souza

Apart from the favourites, keep an eye out for Li Haotong, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Wang Jeunghun, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Hung Chien-yao and Leon D’Souza