appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Andrew McNicol

As night falls over day one of the UBS Hong Kong Open, 19-year-old Leon D’Souza can hold his head up high after hitting an impressive two-over-par 72.
“It feels good,” said D’Souza, who qualified for the Open after winning the Hong Kong Open Amateur title early in the year. “It was quite good with the long game – I had about 14 or 15 greens – but I just didn’t hold any putts.
“That’s what is missing; if I could make a few more birdies, then the game is there.”
D’Souza was unfazed by the late finish despite not being able to fully see the hole on the 18th.
“It was dark, but I know the course quite well so it was okay. The stroke is good but I wasn’t dialled in on my speed – my putts were just a little short. I’ll work on that tomorrow.”
‘We watch these guys on TV’: promising golf duo to share the course with their idols at Hong Kong Open
With the cut looming after round two on Friday, D’Souza hopes his performance can help rally the Hong Kong troops lagging behind the pack.
“I want the other guys to do well, so hopefully they can bring it tomorrow and we’re all here for the weekend.”

It’s back to the drawing board for Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho and James Stewart, who got off to a rough start after teeing off this morning.
The pair – playing alongside each other for the first time – signed off on a six over par 76 after struggling through the swirly Fanling winds.
Taichi Kho applauds Chloe Chan as Hong Kong pair sweep to third at Fanling
“It was pretty tough in these conditions,” said a disappointed Kho. “The fairways were a lot firmer than what I’m accustomed to, I didn’t read the greens well and I had a few wrong club choices off the tee.
17-year-old Kho made a promising Open debut before throwing a spanner in the works at the sixth and ninth.
Hong Kong teenager Leon D’Souza sets Close Amateur Championship pace with course record
“Two really big numbers on the card killed my momentum, and that was caused by my two tee shots.
“The key for tomorrow is to have a better club choice off the tee and get that swing back.”
Veteran James Stewart had no qualms about the wind; rather, it was the short game that let him down.
“I felt comfortable out there, I just putted horrendously,” said the 42-year-old, who is competing in his fifteenth Hong Kong Open.

“I just need to get back to the putting green and figure things out.”
Despite the high scoring affair, local golf fans would have been encouraged after seeing two sets of Hong Kong golf generations in Kho and Stewart.
Stewart, a four-time winner of the Hong Kong Professional Golfers’ Association (HKPGA) order of merit and three-time Hong Kong world cups representative, will undoubtedly share some words of wisdom to Hong Kong’s most promising young golfer.
“I got to see his game and he’s got good potential,” said Stewart. “At 17 years old, I wasn’t playing in the Hong Kong Open, that’s for sure.”
Matthew Cheung Hung-hai finished the day on five over, and Wong Woon-man rounded off the Hong Kong representatives with an eight over par.


Why Hong Kong must rethink Fanling golf course housing plan: if not for its rich heritage then in memory of players who brought glory to the game

‘Shame on you – Hong Kong is not a world city’: golfers furious over course being lost to housing

Face it, the Hong Kong Golf Club needs a friendly landlord more than the doomed Old Course

European Tour and Asian Tour could ditch Hong Kong Open if part of Fanling Old Course is taken away

Honma Hong Kong Open

UBS Hong Kong Open

Local star Leon D’Souza hopeful of better display after encouraging start at Hong Kong Open

Hong Kong’s Leon D'Souza has made an encouraging start to the UBS Hong Kong Open. Photo: Hong Kong Golf Association

Leon D'Souza with his trophy after winning the 2017 Hong Kong Close Amateur Championship at Fanling. Photo: Hong Kong Golf Association

James Stewart during round two of the UBS Hong Kong Open on 9 December 2016 at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong. Mandatory credit: Richard Castka/Sportpixgolf.com

‘We watch these guys on TV’: promising golf duo to share the course with their idols at Hong Kong Open

Matthew Cheung Hung-hai and Taichi Kho will fly the flag for Hong Kong at the UBS Hong Kong Open in November after qualifying at Fanling on Friday. Photo: HKGA

Cheung is not short of playing time having recently graduated from US college.

Taichi Kho at the 2017 Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Junior Championship at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling Photo: HKGA

Olympic golf champion and defending champion Justin Rose at the UBS Hong Kong Open on 7 December 2016 at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong. Mandatory credit: Richard Castka/Sportpixgolf.com

The 28th Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Team Championship 2017 - Nomura Cup is held from 9 to 12 November 2017 on Sungai Long Golf & Country Club, Kuala Lumpur. Hong Kong Team Players: Leon DSOUZA, Matthew CHEUNG, Taichi KHO, Terrence NG Team Coach: Jonathan WALLETT Team Captain: Robert KEYS

Sport

Hong Kong

Golf

The 18-year-old Hong Kong star’s two-over par is the best round for the local players while Taichi Kho and veteran James Stewart are off to a rough start


Local star Leon D’Souza hopeful of better display after encouraging start at Hong Kong Open

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 18-year-old Hong Kong star’s two-over par is the best round for the local players while Taichi Kho and veteran James Stewart are off to a rough start

The 18-year-old Hong Kong star’s two-over par is the best round for the local players while Taichi Kho and veteran James Stewart are off to a rough start