UBS Hong Kong Open 2015 - South China Morning Post

What we learned from this year's Hong Kong Golf Open

Sat, 31 Oct 2015 14:00:15 +0000

It's the small things that count, the little issues that prove so revealing. In the firmament of world affairs, and even in the firmament of sporting affairs, the UBS Hong Kong Open is not that big a thing. It's a golf tournament that boasts a long tradition. However, it's a tradition that came perilously close to disappearing last year because of the lack of a title sponsor and government support. Even with the Swiss bank back aboard and the government's Mega Events Fund returning after a...

Americans finally hustle into Fanling, and Patrick Reed is happy to lead the charge

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 11:15:00 +0000

The cover of the yardage book in his hands is an American flag. There is little doubt; Patrick Reed is on the first tee box. When countryman Dustin Johnson missed the cut at the UBS Hong Kong Open, the 25-year-old Texan and world number 20 became the second highest ranked player in the field after number seven Justin Rose. With all this talk of Johnson appearing for the first time in Hong Kong, Reed has been something of the forgotten American. But after a third round 65, he started the final...

'Smarter' Justin Rose comes out on top of the class in Hong Kong

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 11:00:15 +0000

Justin Rose had been saying all week leading into the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open that he had done his homework in terms of the course at Fanling and the conditions. The English world number seven then came out on Sunday and redeemed himself for missing the cut in Hong Kong in 2011, keeping his cool in the heat of battle as he outfought – and outthought – Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard to hold on for a one-stroke victory in the event, co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours. READ MORE: As...

UBS Hong Kong Open: final-round scores

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 09:45:45 +0000

Final round scores: 263 Justin Rose (England) 65-66-64-68. 264 Lucas Bjerregaard (Denmark) 66-66-63-69. 269 Lee Soomin (South Korea) 70-69-66-64, Patrick Reed (US) 68-69-65-67, Matthew Fitzpatrick (England) 67-67-66-69, Jason Scrivener (Australia) 68-68-65-68. 270 Lin Wen-tang (Taiwan) 67-68-68-67, Yang Yong-eun (South Korea) 68-66-67-69, Matt Ford (England) 69-65-67-69, Anirban Lahiri (India) 67-67-65-71. 271 Masahiro Kawamura (Japan) 68-69-69-65, Ben Evans (England) 69-71-66-65. 272 Angelo...

UBS made right decision to come back, says head of sponsorship

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 08:30:15 +0000

The sun shone, the crowds milled around fairways and greens and not even the mid-tournament loss of star attraction Dustin Johnson could dilute the enthusiasm of returning sponsors as they look forward to more years of prosperity for the UBS Hong Kong Open. Bjorn Waespe, managing director of UBS brand activation, sponsorship and events, said the success of this year’s tournament justified the Swiss investment bank’s decision to return as title sponsor after a two-year hiatus. “I was personally...

UBS Hong Kong Open Charity Cup ready to spread goodwill

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 06:15:15 +0000

The action is not over for the week at Fanling, even though the dust has already begun to settle from the main event. Wednesday sees attention turn to the first staging of the UBS Hong Kong Open Charity Cup – held over the exact same course that tested some of the greats of the game – and the reaction to the initiative has been so positive, organisers are already looking forward to next year’s edition and how they can further spread the good will. For the three charities set to benefit from the...

UBS Hong Kong Open, third-round scores

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 11:25:17 +0000

Third round scores: 195 Lucas Bjerregaard (Denmark) 66-66-63, Justin Rose (England) 65-66-64. 199 Anirban Lahiri (India) 67-67-65. 200 Jeev Milka Singh (India) 65-70-65, Matthew Fitzpatrick (England) 67-67-66. 201 Jason Scrivener (Australia) 68-68-65, Matt Ford (England) 69-65-67, Yang Yong-eun (South Korea) 68-66-67. 202 Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) 71-67-64, Patrick Reed (US) 68-69-65, Gaganjeet Bhullar (India) 69-67-67, Nathan Holman (Australia) 68-66-68. 203 Lin Wen-tang (Taiwan) 67-68-68,...

UBS Hong Kong Open, day four tee-off times

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 11:25:17 +0000

6:42 Danie van Tonder (South Africa), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (Thailand). 6:51 Panuphol Pittayarat (Thailand), Richardo Gonzalez (Argentina). 7:00 David Lipsky (US), Rikard Karlberg (Sweden). 7:09 Adam Groom (Australia), Nicholas Fung (Malaysia). 7:18 Rattanon Wannasrichan (Thailand), Sattaya Supupramai (Thailand). 7:27 Mikael Lundberg (Sweden), Lionel Webber (France). 7:36 Chris paisley (England), Terry Pilkadaris (Australia). 7:45 Roope Kakko (Finland), Andrea Pavan (Italy). 7:54 Prom Meesawat...

Old pros Jeev Milkha Singh and Thongchai Jaidee still going strong

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 11:00:00 +0000

So you woke up a little sore today, huh? The back isn’t what it once was while the knees are making more noise than a cricket in heat. Of course, no one said getting old was going be any fun. And all that talk about 50 being the new 30 is just that – talk. But not all geezers are rolling over. “Injuries are obviously an issue as you get older,” said India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, who turns 44 in December. “But my injuries are getting much better and that brings back the confidence. In this game the...

Toe to toe, putt for putt - Justin Rose and Lucas Bjerregaard set up final-day showdown at Hong Kong Open

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 10:45:00 +0000

Saturday is known as moving day in the golfing world but Justin Rose refused to let Lucas Bjerregaard edge forward an inch at the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open, and the pair have turned for home locked at 15-under-par and four shots clear of their closest competitor. “It was a great day,” said Rose after he walked off the course after a round where each player landed hits but not a knockout blow, with a 64 for the Englishman and a tournament-best 63 for the Dane to leave them tied as the...

Patrick Reed ready to pounce as Indians Anirban Lahiri and Jeev Milkha Singh make their move

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 09:45:15 +0000

American Patrick Reed returned to form to stake his claim for honours as India’s old and new guard moved into contention alongside Asia’s only major winner Yang Yong-eun. Also making a charge were England sensation Matthew Fitzpatrick, Perth-based Jason Scrivener and veteran Thai Thongchai Jaidee. Reed shot a five-under-par 65 for a three-round total of 202, seven behind joint leaders Justin Rose and Lucas Bjerrergaard. Anirban Lahiri, runner-up in Macau last week and the Asian Tour’s runaway...

UBS Hong Kong Open: three things to watch on day four

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 07:40:41 +0000

Keeping it real Sixteen years as a pro, 18 titles, and three Asian Tour Orders of Merit. Thai veteran Thongchai Jaidee carries with him the air of a man who has seen and done it all. A six-under 64 Saturday – to leave him at nine-under and well in contention - show the 45-year-old still brings plenty of game with him as he tours the golf courses of the world. His level-headed approach to the game should – and does – provide an inspiration, as witnessed when ask for the game plan as we turn to...

Justin Rose and Lucas Bjerregaard set up final day showdown at UBS Hong Kong Open - Day 3 recap

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 03:45:45 +0000

Follow @JamesPorteous FULL LEADERBOARD READ ALL OUR HONG KONG OPEN COVERAGE HERE Day 3 Leaders at close of play: -15 Justin Rose, Lucas Bjerregaard -11 Anirban Lahiri -10 Jeev Milkha Singh, Matt Fitzpatrick -9 Jason Scrivener , YE Yang, Matt Ford -8 Thongchai Jaidee, Patrick Reed, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Nathan Holman Justin Rose and Lucas Bjerregaard are tied for the lead on 15 under par heading into the final day of the UBS Hong Kong Open after a sensational display of golf from both men on...

UBS Hong Kong Open, day three tee-off times

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:13:18 +0000

Tee-off times for the third round on Saturday. First tee 07:07 Chan Shih-chang (Taiwan), Danie van Tonder (South Africa) 07:16 Jyoti Randhawa (India), Roope Kakko (Finland) 07:25 Carlos Pigem (Spain), Terry Pilkadaris (Australia) 07:34 Wade Ormsby (Australia), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (Thailand) 07:43 Chris Paisley (England), Peter Uihlein (United States) 07:52 Mithun Perera (Sri Lanka), Panuphol Pittayarat (Thailand) 08:01 Paul Maddy (England), Wang Jeung-hun (South Korea) 08:15...

Scores after the second round of the UBS Hong Kong Open

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:12:59 +0000

Second-round scores 131 Justin Rose (England) 65 66 132 Lucas Bjerregaard (Denmark) 66 66 133 Ian Poulter (England) 67 66, Lu Wei-chih (Taiwan) 64 69 134 Nathan Holman (Australia) 68 66, Matthew Fitzpatrick (England) 67 67, Anirban Lahiri (India) 67 67, Matt Ford (Britain) 69 65, Yang Yong-eun (South Korea) 68 66 135 Gaganjeet Bhullar (India) 69 66, Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) 66 69, Jeev Milkha Singh (India) 65 70, Richard McEvoy (England) 67 68, Oliver Fisher (England) 66 69,...

Bloom and gloom: Justin Rose soars at Hong Kong Open as Dustin Johnson misses the cut

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 10:15:15 +0000

It was a case of one poster boy holding his own while one was heading home after a day of mixed fortunes for Justin Rose and Dustin Johnson, the highest-ranked players at the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open. The pair held pride of place in promotions heading into this year’s event and Rose, the English world number seven, has his nose out in front of the field after a second-round, four-under-par 66 left him at nine-under at the halfway mark, one-stroke clear of Dane Lucas Bjerregaard, who also...

Big name Dustin Johnson may be heading home, but with the likes of starlet Matt Fitzpatrick, HK Open can easily cope

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 10:00:15 +0000

In days gone by it could have been a lethal blow. When your headliner goes home early, how to get critical mass for the next two days? Dustin Johnson came, he saw but he didn’t exactly conquer Fanling. The number eight-ranked golfer in the world missed the cut at the UBS Hong Kong Open and for those of you who did not catch him in the first two days, there’s always next year. Maybe. Johnson’s lacklustre one-over-par performance has him heading back home early but fortunately this year’s field is...

Hong Kong Open: three things to watch on day three

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 08:30:30 +0000

Full of Merit The race for this year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit had pretty much been run and won well before attention turned to Hong Kong. India’s Anirban Lahiri came to town with more than double his closest rival – US$1,011,984.65 collected compared to second-placed Australian Scott Hend’s US$438,781.66. Don’t think for a moment that Lahiri’s might be resting on his laurels, though. One of the form players anywhere in the world this year, the 28-year-old finished Friday sitting just in...

Late but not behind, Ian Poulter sets himself up for weekend charge at Hong Kong Open

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 07:45:00 +0000

Ian Poulter said he was relying on his intimate knowledge of the Fanling course to help him overcome the jetlag and lack of practice as he stakes his claim for more UBS Hong Kong Open glory. The Englishman, winner in Hong Kong in 2010, earned a late entry into the US$2 million European Tour and Asian Tour event after American Rich Beem withdrew to allow Poulter to take his place in the field. And the European Ryder Cup player is making the most of this opportunity, shooting four-under-par 66 on...

Justin Rose out in front heading into weekend at UBS Hong Kong Open, but Poulter and Co in hot pursuit - day 2 recap

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 03:00:45 +0000

Follow @JamesPorteous FULL LEADERBOARD READ ALL OUR HONG KONG OPEN COVERAGE HERE Day 2 leaders: -9 Justin Rose -8 Lucas...

'The Dude' Dustin Johnson is as laidback as ever, but he's the star

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 01:13:16 +0000

High noon is as good a place as any to find a gunslinger and right on cue at a few minutes past 12 American Dustin Johnson ambles into view. He looks, for all intents and purposes, like he just stepped out of the Wild West. A towering presence, his casual swagger could easily have been found in Dodge City or Tombstone, Arizona. But instead it's the first tee box at the 2015 UBS Hong Kong Open where he is playing alongside Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and England's Justin Rose. The...

Hong Kong Open: three things to watch on day two

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 08:00:30 +0000

Thaworn marches on Hats off to Thai veteran Thaworn Wiratchant who is making his 400th Asian Tour appearance this week. The 48-year-old has been ever-present since making his pro debut way back in 1987 and across his career the Thai player has collected 18 Tour titles and Order of Merit crowns in 2005 and 2014. The secret to his success (and longevity)? “Put it simply, I’m ambitious,” he said. Put it simply, he’s an inspiration. Cometh the hour Irish 24-year-old Kevin Phelan came to town needing...

Justin Rose lurks as Lu Wei-chih and Andrea Pavan take UBS Hong Kong Open first-round lead

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 07:45:30 +0000

There was a welcome return to form for Lu Wei-chih and Andrea Pavan as they shared the lead after the first round of the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open but much of the fans’ focus was turned to the stars who ended the day lurking with intent. While Taiwan’s Lu and Italian Pavan signed for six-under-par 64s to top the leaderboard, world number seven Justin Rose ended the round tied in second place with India’s Jeev Milkha Singh and rising Taiwanese talent Pan Cheng-tsung on five-under after a...

Back from the brink: Taiwan's Lu Wei-chih on road to recovery at Hong Kong Open after battling brain tumour

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 07:30:00 +0000

There were times after his brain surgery when Lu Wei-chih doubted he’d ever be able to finish a round of golf again - let alone see his name up there at the top of a leaderboard. “I wasn't quite sure how much longer I would last [playing],” revealed the 36-year-old on Thursday, as he shot a six-under 64 to take the early clubhouse lead in the opening round of the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open. “I pretty much lost all my confidence and trust because I had no power and I didn't think I could...

You get more than you give: Padraig Harrington and Li Haotong work with Special Olympics kids

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 07:00:15 +0000

He had just finished a round of 70, the sun was bearing down and most golfers who were done for the day sought refuge in the clubhouse or back at their hotel rooms. Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, though, stayed out in the heat to spend some time with Hong Kong Special Olympics athletes at the driving range of the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, though, stayed out in the heat to spend some time with Hong Kong Special Olympics athletes at...

Justin Rose and Graeme McDowell in contention as Pavan and Lu lead day one of UBS Hong Kong Open - live blog

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 03:30:45 +0000

Follow @JamesPorteous LEADERBOARD READ ALL OUR HONG KONG OPEN COVERAGE HERE Italian Andrea Pavan and Taiwan's Lu Wei-chih led...

I messed up: Bad play and poor schedule management forced Hong Kong Open rescue mission, admits Ian Poulter

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 00:30:30 +0000

Ian Poulter blamed bad play, poor management of his schedule and throwing world ranking points away “frivolously” after being handed a lifeline by American Rich Beem to compete in the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open, starting today. The Englishman completed his last-minute 15-hour dash from Florida to Hong Kong on Wednesday night and immediately put on record his thanks to Beem. I am so grateful he has given me the opportunity to get my numbers in. If he hadn’t done that then everyone would have...

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

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 17:45:00 +0000

China's Li Haotong is hoping to use the UBS Hong Kong Open to launch his career in the big time. The 20-year-old Li was poised to win his first European Tour event in April at the Shenzhen Open. However, he lost to Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat in a sudden-death play-off. It would be amazing to win somewhere quite close to home and after coming quite close at Shenzhen earlier this year that helped with my confidence Li Haotong With Hong Kong just across the border from that disappointment, Li...

Hong Kong Open off life support and looking to a healthy future

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 16:30:45 +0000

One year is hardly a long time, especially for an event that has been going on since 1959. But one year ago the venerable Hong Kong Open, the oldest professional sporting event in Hong Kong, was basically on life support. The event had no title sponsor and had lost its traditional early December date. Dire as those issues were, both could eventually be resolved. Far more pressing was the class warfare the Hong Kong golf course found itself squarely in the midst of thanks to the populist agenda...

UBS Hong Kong Open tee-off times, Thursday and Friday

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:55:13 +0000

Families take part in open day at Hong Kong Golf Club

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:30:48 +0000

Dozens of families attended an open day at the Hong Kong Golf Club on Wednesday, allowing their kids to make the most of the games and activities at the course’s Spectator Village. More than 200 people turned up at Fanling, the majority of them children from local schools, and their parents. Apart from playing games and taking part in golf activities, they were able to watch some action from Wednesday’s UBS Hong Kong Open pro-am tournament. “This is an open day for these families and it gives...

From playing golf at Hong Kong's Happy Valley racecourse to fighting the Japanese: 92-year-old Willie Woo goes down memory lane

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:30:45 +0000

Willie Woo smiles softly at the memories and he begins to talk about his love of golf, and about the love of his life. “My family had come to Hong Kong in 1936 and my father started playing at Happy Valley,” says the 92-year-old. “There was a nine-hole course then inside the racecourse. I think I might be the only surviving person to have played on that course.” By the mid-1950s Woo had become a member of the Hong Kong Golf Club, and he had also met Simmy, the woman who was to become his...

Three things to watch on day one

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:30:45 +0000

Flight time Ian Poulter won the Hong Kong Open back in 2010 and was tied for fourth the following year – his last appearance here. So we know the course holds no fears for the man. But how about that jet lag? The Englishman’s feet will have barely touched the ground before he steps out at midday Thursday, after a mad, last-minute dash across the globe to pick up the sponsor’s invite vacated by the magnanimous Rich Beem. One thing history – and the Ryder Cup – has shown us over the years though...

'Jimenez is here' - four-time Hong Kong Open champion ready for No 5

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:30:00 +0000

Miguel Angel Jimenez doesn’t normally sneak under anyone’s radar but the flamboyant Spaniard has virtually ghosted into town this year as he prepares for the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open. The 51-year-old made his first public appearance during Wednesday’s pro-am, reacquainting himself with course he has conquered four times already, and he had an instant message for his legions of fans. “Jimenez is here,” he announced. Don’t doubt it. Five wins at the same tournament and he’d join a European...

Locals not just making up the numbers at Hong Kong Open

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:22:07 +0000

James Stewart and Terrence Ng are under no illusions heading into the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open but don't let that statement fool you into thinking they'll be content with simply making the field for their home-town event. The pair will be joined by local hopefuls James Wong, Jason Hak, Tim Tang, Wilson Choy and Max Wong when play begins on Thursday. When I was playing full-time I put too much pressure on myself and it mattered too much to me. Now when I play, I enjoy it a lot more, as the...

Ian Poulter makes last-gasp dash to Hong Kong Open in bid to keep his European Tour membership

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:15:30 +0000

English golfer Ian Poulter has dashed from his home in Florida to the UBS Hong Kong Open to ensure he can play in next year’s Ryder Cup, with three-time major winner Padraig Harrington and South Korean star Yang Yong-eun also in the line-up. The presence of these three golfers in the field, along with top 10 players Justin Rose and Dustin Johnson, makes this year's tournament one of the best, in terms of big-name players, in recent years. Englishman Poulter, who has become Europe’s key player in...

Justin Rose aims to keep it on the fairway this time round as stars gather for UBS Hong Kong Open

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 10:15:45 +0000

World number seven Justin Rose quipped he was looking to take a fresh approach at Fanling this year as he leads the line-up of stars gathered for the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open. Rose, in a press conference for big-draw players on Tuesday, was asked how he might attack the course differently this time around after failing to make the cut at his last appearance in 2011. “From the fairway,” quipped the Englishman. “It’s probably a little bit more of a thinking man’s golf course than not and...

Recreate Rory McIlroy's famous 2011 bunker shot at Chater Garden

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 07:45:45 +0000

Chater Garden in Central was yesterday turned into a fun park for golf lovers and newbies in order to promote the UBS Hong Kong Open and the game to the public. Organisers set up various activities for the public to take part in, especially for those unable to make the trek to Fanling for the Asian Tour and European Tour-sanctioned tournament, which tees off on Thursday at Hong Kong Golf Club. Tom Phillips, chief executive of the Hong Kong Golf Association, said of the Urban Golf Challenge:...

Major winners series: Tom Watson, Jose Maria Olazabal, Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 07:45:15 +0000

The four Majors – the Open Championship, the Masters, the US Open, and the US PGA Championship – are acknowledged as the pinnacles of achievement in the game of golf. Win there and your name is etched into the pantheon of all-time greats. Major winners series: Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle and Orville Moody Major winners series: Greg Norman, Ian Woosnam and Bernhard Langer Over the years the UBS Hong Kong Open has had the privilege of hosting a procession of Major winners at Fanling, and 10 of them...

Five minutes with Matthew Cheung, leading Hong Kong amateur golfer

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 07:00:45 +0000

Matthew Cheung Hung-hai, 20, Hong Kong national team member Q. What or who led you into golf? A. My father was an avid golfer when i grew up so i just followed him around and picked the game up Q. What do you like about playing the game? A. The constant search for perfection. Q. Can you share any goals you might have set yourself? A. Obviously i want to turn professional and someday make it onto the PGA tour. Q. What do you think are the strengths of your game? A. Ball striking and course...

World No 20 Patrick Reed hails charge of golf's young brigade ahead of Hong Kong Open

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 07:00:15 +0000

Much has been made of the changing of the guard golf has gone through over the past 12 months and world number 20 Patrick Reed believes the game is better off for it. “The younger guys are filling the shoes of the older guys and it’s great to be part of it,” said the 25-year-old American. The game is now being led by the likes of Jordan Spieth and Jason Day and Rory McIlroy – aged 22, 27 and 26, respectively – and Reed believes they are helping spread its global reach. “It’s all about the growth...

G-Mac back in the swing: Graeme McDowell ready to step up at Hong Kong Open

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 07:00:15 +0000

A year can last a very long time in any game and if you need convincing of that fact consider that around 12 months ago Graeme McDowell was busy handing out a lesson during the Ryder Cup to a talented youngster named Jordan Spieth who had suddenly started to look a little out of his depth among the big boys of the game. On the final day at Gleneagles, McDowell had turned for home three down and looking out, but he regrouped and he rallied, and he ended the round with a 2&1 victory over Spieth...

Major winners series: Greg Norman, Ian Woosnam and Bernhard Langer

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 07:00:00 +0000

The four majors – the Open Championship, the Masters, the US Open, and the US PGA Championship – are acknowledged as the pinnacles of achievement in the game of golf. Win there and your name is etched into the pantheon of all-time greats. READ MORE: Major winners series: Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle and Orville Moody Over the years, the UBS Hong Kong Open has had the privilege of hosting a procession of major winners at Fanling, and 10 of them have managed to carve themselves a slice of history out...

Fanling life - behind the scenes at Hong Kong Golf Club

Sat, 17 Oct 2015 16:00:15 +0000

Lam Chung-fat remembers sitting around listening to his uncle talk about the tough old times back in the 1930s when he’d collect golfers waiting outside Fanling station and pack them into his rickshaw for the 12km trek to the Hong Kong Golf Club. “It was the only way to get here back then,” says Lam. “There was no station nearby like we have [at Sheung Shui] today and he would go back and forth every day. They came from Fanling and that’s why the course today is often just called ‘Fanling’ – it...

I teed off in my street shoes: Greg Norman recalls 1979 Fanling victory

Sat, 17 Oct 2015 16:00:15 +0000

Greg Norman had it all before him on his first trip to the Hong Kong Open back in 1979. As a 24-year-old who had already won four events on the Australian Tour, Norman had set his sights on going global and Fanling was to provide the first step. The record now shows that, not for the only time in his illustrious career, Norman achieved what he set out to do, driving his way through the wind and rain for a three-shot win as he collected what was up until then the largest payday of his career at...

Storied institutions like the European Tour must loosen up and adapt to golf's new Asian culture

Sat, 17 Oct 2015 14:49:54 +0000

It's the last bastion of class and decency, a pious beacon of integrity. Yes, the game of golf will save the world from the crass and callous intrusion of the great unwashed. Of course, it might die doing it, but that's the price a martyr often pays. As the top players in Europe and Asia stroll into town this coming week to play at the UBS Hong Kong Open at Fanling, they unwittingly bring with them a game and sport that seems to be in its death throes. Over the past few years, the media has been...

Obituary: Alan Sutcliffe, Hong Kong golf mourns death of a true legend and absolute gentleman

Mon, 12 Oct 2015 12:30:15 +0000

Alan Sutcliffe, a true doyen of local golf who took part in the inaugural Hong Kong Open in 1959, passed away on Monday morning. He was 86. Sutcliffe – fondly known as Uncle Al and a founder of the Open and the Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA) – had been suffering from lung cancer, which was diagnosed last year. READ MORE: Founding father of Hong Kong Open recalls early days “Uncle Al was an absolute gentleman right until the very end when even this [Monday] morning, he refused to be taken to...

Meet the major winners who have done the Hong Kong Open double

Mon, 12 Oct 2015 06:00:15 +0000

The four majors – the Open Championship, the Masters, the US Open, and the US PGA Championship – are acknowledged as the pinnacles of achievement in the game of golf. Win there and your name is etched into the pantheon of all-time greats. Over the years, the UBS Hong Kong Open has had the privilege of hosting a procession of major winners at Fanling, and 10 of them have managed to carve themselves a slice of history out this way, too. Here’s a look at three major champions, of the 10 we will...

Five minutes with Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching

Mon, 12 Oct 2015 06:00:15 +0000

Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching, 22, Hong Kong national team member Q. What or who led you into golf? A. My parents are the ones who led me into golf when I was six. They enlightened and aroused my interest in golf. Q. What do you like about playing the game? A. I like the challenge of golf. The challenge is that you’re a not out there to beat somebody, but you are there to beat yourself. Q. Can you share any goals you might have set yourself? A. My goal is to turn professional in future and hopefully I...

Golf tips with Hong Kong Golf Club coaches Dean Nelson and Daniel O'Neill

Fri, 09 Oct 2015 07:00:30 +0000

Follow @KevinKungHK The Hong Kong Golf professionals will be giving you some helpful hints as to how to lower your scores. They will be providing seven video tips in the lead-up to the UBS Hong Kong Open from October 22-25. Following up from bunkers and pressure putts, the team teach you about aligning your shots and hitting downhill lies. Tip No 1: Getting out of the bunker Tip No 2: How to putt under pressure Tip No 3: Pre-shot alignment Tip No 4: How to hit downhill...