https://www.scmp.com/rss/323375/feed The Clearwater Bay Open is the 14th and final event on the PGA Tour Series-China. The event earned status on the 2019 Web.com Tour, a pathway to the PGA Tour. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Hong Kong’s 2021 sporting prospectus has been dealt another blow with confirmation that the 2021 season of the PGA Tour Series-China has been scrapped, likely taking with it the Clearwater Bay Open. Organisers of the Tour, a feeder circuit for the PGA Tour, announced on Saturday that the 2021 campaign was cancelled due to ongoing uncertainty around the Covid-19 pandemic in the region. While the PGA was able to lay out a road map for the Canada-based Mackenzie Tour and PGA Tour Latinoamerica to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3117115/clearwater-bay-open-likely-be-axed-pga-tour-series-china-cancels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3117115/clearwater-bay-open-likely-be-axed-pga-tour-series-china-cancels?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Jan 2021 07:53:44 +0000 Sitting in the comfort of his family home in Orlando, Florida, in early February, Hong Kong golfer Jason Hak Shun-yat was wondering whether he would be able to compete in a tournament for the rest of the year, or even next year. The Covid-19 pandemic had all but closed off entry to China, and infections were rapidly rising in Europe and, worryingly, were increasing in the US. Infectious disease experts were ringing alarm bells but not all governments were taking the threat as seriously as they... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3112392/hong-kong-golfer-jason-hak-finds-safe-haven-china-and-opportunity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3112392/hong-kong-golfer-jason-hak-finds-safe-haven-china-and-opportunity?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Dec 2020 00:00:18 +0000 Hongkongers can now add one of the region’s most notable golfing events to the growing list of sporting competitions cancelled because of the ongoing protests in the city. On Thursday, the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club issued a short statement revealing it is cancelling the 2019 edition, which was to take place from October 17-20. The statement said that after a lengthy discussion with the PGA Tour, the club reluctantly agreed to cancel this year’s competition “due to the ongoing situation... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3028090/pgas-clearwater-bay-open-latest-sporting-event-be-cancelled-due-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3028090/pgas-clearwater-bay-open-latest-sporting-event-be-cancelled-due-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Sep 2019 08:29:11 +0000 When the PGA Tour Series-China reached its climax at the weekend, the five top money-winners earned cards for America’s Web.com Tour, one rung below the elite PGA Tour. There was just one hiccup – none of the top five, or even the top 10, was from China. It is the first time in four seasons of the PGA Tour Series-China – hailed by former tour commissioner Tim Finchem “as a pathway to the PGA Tour for Chinese golfers” when it was created – that no Chinese player has made the top five. Instead,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2168787/chinese-golfers-flop-their-own-gateway-pga-tour-highest-finisher-stumbles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2168787/chinese-golfers-flop-their-own-gateway-pga-tour-highest-finisher-stumbles?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Oct 2018 08:24:45 +0000 While he admitted to nerves throughout the tournament, in the end New Zealand golfer Nick Voke’s game stayed calm and collected. Voke held off a last round charge from Englishman Callum Tarren to win the Clearwater Bay Open on Sunday. Voke, who went into the final round five strokes clear, spent the day watching the leader board as Tarren skyrocketed up the standings, shooting a 62, one off the course record. Voke, shot a third consecutive three-under 67 for a 14-under total, said it was a tough... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2168508/clearwater-bay-open-new-zealands-nick-voke-takes-top-spot-hong-kongs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2168508/clearwater-bay-open-new-zealands-nick-voke-takes-top-spot-hong-kongs?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Oct 2018 11:15:00 +0000 New Zealand No 4 Nick Voke admitted he was “shaking” with nerves as he opened up a five-stroke lead at the 2 million yuan Clearwater Bay Open in his bid for a third win in four PGA Tour Series-China events and a move up from fifth on the Order of Merit. As Voke shot a three-under 67 to move to 11-under after three rounds of the season-ending event, Japan’s Yuwa Kosaihira, third on the money list, shot 68 to move into a share of second with two-time Tour winner Kim Tae-woo of Korea at the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2168443/clearwater-bay-open-nervous-nick-voke-cusp-third-tour-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2168443/clearwater-bay-open-nervous-nick-voke-cusp-third-tour-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Oct 2018 11:44:15 +0000 Australia’s Deyen Lawson shot a bogey-free six-under 64 to share the lead with Sweden’s Oskar Arvidsson (65) at nine under heading into the weekend at the HK$2.27 million Clearwater Bay Open in Hong Kong, the 14th and final event of this year’s PGA Tour Series-China. Hong Kong No 1 Motin Yeung, seeking to break into the top five of the Order of Merit to earn a Web.com Tour card, carded a 68 to tie for 22nd at one-under and will be joined at the weekend by local players Jason Hak Shun-yat (69)... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2168365/clearwater-bay-open-deyen-lawson-and-oskar-arvidsson-share-lead-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2168365/clearwater-bay-open-deyen-lawson-and-oskar-arvidsson-share-lead-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Oct 2018 11:52:17 +0000 New Zealander Nick Voke came out of the gate strong at the Clearwater Bay Open, shooting a five-under-par 65 to secure a first-round lead on Thursday. Voke is followed by Italian Cristiano Terragni and Swede Oskar Arvidsson, who both shot four under par at the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club. Voke eagled the par-five 18th to finish the day, a decisive statement from the 23-year-old Kiwi heading into Friday’s second round. He is No 327 in the world and is New Zealand’s fourth-ranked... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2168161/clearwater-bay-open-kiwi-voke-blasts-out-gate-windy-conditions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2168161/clearwater-bay-open-kiwi-voke-blasts-out-gate-windy-conditions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Oct 2018 11:29:12 +0000 Hong Kong golfer Motin Yeung has a hidden talent. The PGA Tour-China professional is game to talk about his play on the links, but he is equally interested to show off some of the photos from his recent trip to Whitehorse, Canada, with his girlfriend, where he took some shots of the Northern Lights. “It is so cold up there, it’s another world of cold,” he said. “It was a cold that I’ve never experienced before, that is for sure.” Yeung, who will tee off on Thursday in the Clearwater Bay Open... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2167689/clearwater-bay-open-hong-kong-golf-ace-motin-yeung-shows-his-playful-side?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2167689/clearwater-bay-open-hong-kong-golf-ace-motin-yeung-shows-his-playful-side?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Oct 2018 10:00:30 +0000 Hong Kong amateurs Matthew Cheung Hung-hai and Terrence Ng Shing-fung, both fresh from the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Singapore, finished joint runners-up at the Monday qualifier for this week’s Clearwater Bay Open to join the 120-player field for the PGA Tour Series-China season-ending event. The two amateurs were among five Hong Kong players to finish in the top 10 of the qualifier at the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club, and are among 17 local players who will compete in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2167497/hong-kong-amateurs-matthew-cheung-and-terrence-ng-join-pros-clearwater?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2167497/hong-kong-amateurs-matthew-cheung-and-terrence-ng-join-pros-clearwater?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Oct 2018 10:00:15 +0000 There was some pretty impressive golf at the Clearwater Bay Open last week, but as a cut line of 15 over on Friday would suggest, you had to wade through a fair bit of rubbish to find it. The phrase ‘Everyone wins a prize’ came to mind when they split the field, with 70 of the field of 96 progressing to the weekend, despite some being 18 shots off the lead. In fairness, the quality of golf on the final day was not to be sneezed at, with 12 players shooting under-par rounds, but as far as a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2119507/give-credit-clearwater-bay-open-it-needs-harmonious-pga-tour-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2119507/give-credit-clearwater-bay-open-it-needs-harmonious-pga-tour-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Nov 2017 05:04:24 +0000 Moments after holing a six-foot putt to take out the Clearwater Bay Open, Australia’s James Marchesani declared his intentions to take part in next year’s PGA Tour China. After sharing the lead after days two and three, the 27-year-old carded a three-under-par 67 to finish seven under overall and defeat England’s Callum Tarren by one shot. In the process, he earned himself full membership on next year’s PGA Tour China. “I believe the China Tour sort of plays midyear which is a gap for our... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2118485/youll-see-me-pga-tour-china-next-year-says-australias-james-marchesani?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2118485/youll-see-me-pga-tour-china-next-year-says-australias-james-marchesani?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Nov 2017 09:56:06 +0000 With his dad watching on, Hong Kong number one Jason Hak Shun-yat stormed back into contention at the Clearwater Bay Open with a third-round six-under-par 64. Just as he was when his son shot a 63 in the final round here last year, Hak’s father Ching-lun was there every step of the way as the 23-year-old worked backed to one over for the tournament and five shots off the lead. “I like to have my dad here, he’s been watching me since I’ve played so he knows me,” Hak said. “He came last year on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2118415/its-family-affair-jason-hak-storms-back-contention-64-clearwater-bay-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2118415/its-family-affair-jason-hak-storms-back-contention-64-clearwater-bay-open?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Nov 2017 08:53:43 +0000 Up-and-coming Chinese star Lin Yuxin says he needs to learn to be more “patient” as he plots his course towards next year’s Masters and Open Championship. After earning his spot in two of 2018’s four majors with victory in last week’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, the 17-year-old came crashing back to earth at the Clearwater Bay Open on Friday. He carded a 10-over-par 80, including triple and quadruple bogeys, on an attritional day that saw most struggle with the nagging breeze. “I think I... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2118333/learning-curve-begins-clearwater-bay-open-chinese-star-lin-yuxin-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2118333/learning-curve-begins-clearwater-bay-open-chinese-star-lin-yuxin-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Nov 2017 10:34:02 +0000 He enjoyed going around with two of China’s most promising young golfers but that was where the fun ended for local hope Jason Hak Shun-yat on the opening day of the Clearwater Bay Open. Hak, playing with Jin Cheng and Lin Yuxin, finished on five-over-par 75 after four bogeys and a triple bogey on a day that saw Jin shoot five under to be just one stroke behind leader, Australia’s David Lutterus. “It was fun until golf wasn’t fun. But I love playing with them, they’re great kids and they’re... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2118176/it-was-fun-until-golf-wasnt-fun-says-jason-hak-chinese-prodigies-jin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2118176/it-was-fun-until-golf-wasnt-fun-says-jason-hak-chinese-prodigies-jin?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Nov 2017 11:09:56 +0000 Not even Jordan Spieth could start the fire that now burns inside South Korean Cho Rak-hyun as the 24-year-old enjoys the best season of his young career. With the only two wins of his career coming on the China Tour in 2017, Cho is a far cry from the young golfer that at times couldn’t be bothered practising. “My freshman year in high school I played a lot with Jordan [Spieth], Justin Thomas, our class was really strong,” Cho said. “I didn’t really practise, so after we were done Jordan would... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2117991/jordan-spieth-couldnt-start-fire-now-south-koreas-cho-rak-hyun-burning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2117991/jordan-spieth-couldnt-start-fire-now-south-koreas-cho-rak-hyun-burning?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Nov 2017 10:46:10 +0000 He’s six years his junior and out to upstage his more experienced rival, but that doesn’t mean Hong Kong No 1 Jason Hak Shun-yat isn’t willing to offer 17-year-old Lin Yuxin a hand when he needs one. Lin enters this week’s Clearwater Bay Open on top of the world after winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship on Sunday, but still required his good friend Hak to pick up his spare three-wood from Beijing after he broke one on the path to victory. “First of all, I’m really good friends with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2117802/jason-hak-grabs-lin-yuxins-three-wood-and-heads-clearwater-bay-open-he?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2117802/jason-hak-grabs-lin-yuxins-three-wood-and-heads-clearwater-bay-open-he?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Oct 2017 09:21:57 +0000 Teenage Chinese prodigy Lin Yuxin will return to play the PGA Tour China’s Clearwater Bay Open in Hong Kong this week, days after his amateur golfing breakthrough at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. The 17-year-old’s victory in New Zealand was the biggest of his career and secured him spots at next season’s Masters and The Open, which will be held at Carnoustie. “It was an amazing feeling, probably the best feeling I’ve ever had,” he said. “I’m just really excited that I made it to the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2117651/china-golf-prodigy-lin-yuxin-returns-clearwater-bay-open-after-securing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2117651/china-golf-prodigy-lin-yuxin-returns-clearwater-bay-open-after-securing?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Oct 2017 09:59:57 +0000 Daniel Nisbet is looking forward to returning to the “most beautiful course” he’s played as he attempts to defend his title at next week’s Clearwater Bay Open. The Australian is hoping to rekindle his love affair with the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, which he described as breathtaking on winning the biggest title of his career last November. Nisbet was five strokes behind third-round leader Alex Kang before catching the American with a Sunday round of 64 and going on to win the play-off... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2116744/australian-daniel-nisbet-ready-defend-his-title-breathtaking-clearwater?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2116744/australian-daniel-nisbet-ready-defend-his-title-breathtaking-clearwater?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Oct 2017 07:45:30 +0000 Chinese teen Jin Cheng will compete in the PGA Tour China’s upcoming Clearwater Bay Open from November 2-5 at The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, scene of the Chinese teen’s memorable victory at the 2015 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. Jin shot a first-round 62 on his way to winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur title, which earned him a spot in last year’s Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, where the-then 18-year-old missed the cut in his major championship debut but enjoyed... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2116040/jin-cheng-make-emotional-clearwater-bay-return-scene-his-memorable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2116040/jin-cheng-make-emotional-clearwater-bay-return-scene-his-memorable?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Oct 2017 04:45:14 +0000 Armed with the confidence gained from his first professional title, Hong Kong’s Jason Hak Shun-yat has confirmed he will take part in next month’s Clearwater Bay Open and is confident he now has the tools to contend deep into the weekend. Hak required a final-round 63 to secure a tie for 20th last year but will step out at the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club with a weight lifted off his shoulders after his 10-shot win in the Yunnan Championship in Kunming in August, his first since turning... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2114751/hong-kong-hope-jason-hak-returns-clearwater-bay-open-knowing-hes-closed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2114751/hong-kong-hope-jason-hak-returns-clearwater-bay-open-knowing-hes-closed?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Oct 2017 10:20:30 +0000 The PGA Tour may have “relationship issues” in mainland China, but the Clearwater Bay Open in Hong Kong will go ahead in November. The Clearwater Bay Open was the first PGA Tour China Series event held outside mainland China last year, but the US organisation has failed to get the series up and running again this season. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan earlier this year blamed “relationship complexities” for the China Series being put on hold. But Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club officials... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2112823/pga-tours-relationship-issues-china-will-not-stop-hong-kong-hosting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2112823/pga-tours-relationship-issues-china-will-not-stop-hong-kong-hosting?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Sep 2017 02:45:30 +0000 Hong Kong is in line to attract one of the US PGA Tour’s more high profile events following the resounding success of the inaugural China Series Clearwater Bay Open which concluded with Sunday’s play-off victory for Australia’s Daniel Nisbet, according to greater China managing director Greg Gilligan. Bar the smallest of organisational issues expected at a Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club hosting its biggest event following the success of last year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, players... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2043439/clearwater-bay-open-paves-way-hong-kong-host-high-profile-us-pga?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2043439/clearwater-bay-open-paves-way-hong-kong-host-high-profile-us-pga?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Nov 2016 10:30:30 +0000 Australia’s Daniel Nisbet eagled the first play-off hole to win the PGA Tour China Series Clearwater Bay Open after edging out American Alex Kang on Sunday. The pair had finished tied at the top of the leaderboard at 15-under-par after overnight leader Kang could only manage a final round of one-under 69 having started the day in possession of a seemingly commanding four-shot lead. With Nisbet in the clubhouse after a six-under 64, Kang had a chance to claim victory outright in regulation but... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2043416/alex-kang-sees-pga-tour-clearwater-bay-open-lead-cut-three-nine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2043416/alex-kang-sees-pga-tour-clearwater-bay-open-lead-cut-three-nine?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Nov 2016 05:28:42 +0000 Aggressive American Alex Kang has laid down a ‘catch me if you can’ challenge heading into the final round of the PGA Tour China Series Clearwater Bay Open, with China’s former security guard and caddy Zhang Xinjun leading the challenge to overhaul his four-shot lead. First-round leader Kang moved to 14-under-par at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club with a bogey-free third round seven-under-par 63 on Saturday as the 26-year-old chases a second win of the season. Zhang dropped just one shot in a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2043313/catch-me-if-you-kang-warns-american-alex-kang-heading-final-round?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2043313/catch-me-if-you-kang-warns-american-alex-kang-heading-final-round?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Nov 2016 10:06:24 +0000 American Alex Kang will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the PGA Tour Clearwater Bay Open after carding a bogey-free seven-under-par 63 at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club on Saturday. First round lead Kang is aiming for a second title of the season having landed June’s Cadillac Championship having also held a four shot 54-hole lead. “Last time I won by six, so I hope I can win by seven or more this time,” said Kang, who is currently fourth in the order of merit. “The greens are... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2043305/american-alex-kang-takes-four-shot-lead-final-round-pga-tour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2043305/american-alex-kang-takes-four-shot-lead-final-round-pga-tour?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Nov 2016 08:31:59 +0000 This week’s Clearwater Bay Open has not only broken new ground for the China Series as the first event played outside of the mainland, but has also allowed it to align its charity footprint with what the PGA Tour is more accustomed to back home – and that is largely down to the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club. Having struggled to find suitable charitable causes in China since the circuit started in 2014, this week has finally allowed the PGA Tour to flex its corporate social responsibility... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2043286/us-pga-tour-and-clearwater-bay-golf-country-club-breaking-new-ground?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2043286/us-pga-tour-and-clearwater-bay-golf-country-club-breaking-new-ground?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Nov 2016 04:01:04 +0000 There are only 52 weeks in a year. That is a fact. A fact that the US PGA Tour might like to change, but for now it is still a fact. There are also now 26 million reasons for golf’s top players to use three of those weeks in 2017 to take in Malaysia, South Korea and China after the PGA Tour recently used one of those seven day stretches to add an event to their already bulging calendar on picturesque Jeju island next year. Golf tour’s adding events is not an unusual thing, take this week’s PGA... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2043285/us-pga-tour-are-here-and-they-mean-business-presence-asia-grows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2043285/us-pga-tour-are-here-and-they-mean-business-presence-asia-grows?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Nov 2016 03:55:49 +0000 As one poster boy fell down the pecking order on Friday, another emerged as China’s Chen Zihao gave the Clearwater Bay Open and the PGA Tour China Series a shot in the arm. If the PGA Tour bosses could choose a leading light for the new series, 20-year-old Chen is the man. He was born in Zhuhai on the southern coast of Guangdong province while he spends a lot of his time based out of San Francisco where his younger sister is a high school student and trains in Los Angeles, ticking geographical... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2043086/chinas-chen-zihao-takes-over-pga-tour-china-series-clearwater-bay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2043086/chinas-chen-zihao-takes-over-pga-tour-china-series-clearwater-bay?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Nov 2016 10:15:45 +0000 China’s Chen Zihao blazed a bogey-free seven under-par 63 to claim a two shot clubhouse lead midway through the second round of the PGA Tour China Series Clearwater Bay Open on Friday alongside compatriot Yuan Tian. The 20-year-old Chan carded five birdies and an eagle in ideal scoring conditions at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club to overtake first round leader Alex Kang at nine-under overall. “This year has been good, I always finish OK, but I am just looking for the win,” said Chen, who is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2042992/chinas-chen-zihao-surges-ahead-pga-tour-china-series-clearwater-bay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2042992/chinas-chen-zihao-surges-ahead-pga-tour-china-series-clearwater-bay?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Nov 2016 04:53:07 +0000 An optimistic but equally frustrated Jason Hak Shun-yat battled with the pressures of being the poster boy of this week’s PGA Tour Clearwater Bay Open on Thursday, but showed he may deserve that billing now and in the future with hard-fought first round. Watch: leading golfers from Hong Kong and the mainland in action at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club With three top 10 finishes in as many starts and the circuit making its first stop outside of mainland China this week at Clearwater Bay... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2042740/hong-kong-number-one-jason-hak-shun-yat-shows-he-deserves-clearwater-bay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2042740/hong-kong-number-one-jason-hak-shun-yat-shows-he-deserves-clearwater-bay?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Nov 2016 11:45:30 +0000 American Alex Kang carded a bogey-free six-under-par 64 to claim the first round lead at the PGA Tour China Series Clearwater Bay Open, with Chinese pair Wu Hongfu and Yuan Tian leading the chasing pack a shot off the pace. This season’s Cadillac Championship winner Kang, who is currently fourth on the order of merit, never looked back after claiming a birdie at his first hole of the day and posted five further gains during a flawless 18 holes at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club. Wu also... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2042728/american-alex-kang-claims-first-round-lead-pga-tour-china-series?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2042728/american-alex-kang-claims-first-round-lead-pga-tour-china-series?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Nov 2016 10:38:00 +0000 South Korea’s Kim Tae-woo and England’s Michael Skelton eagled the 18th to claim a share of the clubhouse lead midway through the first round of the PGA Tour China Series Clearwater Bay Open at four-under-par alongside China’s Zhang Xinjun. Kim, who has already won on the circuit this year after capturing the Ping An Private Bank Wanda Open in July, carded six birdies at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club to earn his place at the top of the leaderboard. Skelton had started with three bogeys over... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2042651/trio-set-first-round-pace-pga-tour-china-series-clearwater-bay-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2042651/trio-set-first-round-pace-pga-tour-china-series-clearwater-bay-open?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Nov 2016 06:12:02 +0000 The former bad boy of Chinese golf is out to reinvent himself as an intriguing combination of Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar as Zhang Xinjun eyes success at this week’s PGA Tour China Series Clearwater Bay Open. Zhang found himself in hot water with officials in 2014 after signing two incorrect scorecards during the inaugural season of the circuit and was banned for six months. That did not stop Zhang finishing second on the order of merit that year before landing third a year... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2042354/former-china-bad-boy-zhang-xinjun-seeks-turn-good-clearwater-bay-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2042354/former-china-bad-boy-zhang-xinjun-seeks-turn-good-clearwater-bay-open?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Nov 2016 10:27:35 +0000 This week’s Clearwater Bay Open is leading the expansion of the burgeoning China Series that could see events soon added in Macau and Taiwan, with longer term plans for a 25-stop circuit across greater China, according to PGA Tour officials. The 1.2 million yuan (HK$1.4 million) event at the spectacular Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, which starts on Thursday and concludes on Sunday, is the first stop the series has made outside of mainland China since starting with its first season in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2042335/clearwater-bay-open-just-beginning-pga-tour-china-series-circuit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2042335/clearwater-bay-open-just-beginning-pga-tour-china-series-circuit?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Nov 2016 08:44:10 +0000 New teenage China number two Dou Zecheng will not pay much attention to the world rankings until they matter – when it comes time to decide who will represent the Olympic-mad nation at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. With the game returning to the fold for the first time in 112 years in Rio de Janeiro in August, golf's pecking order has taken on an added meaning with selection for the 60-man field in Brazil determined by the world rankings. Wu Ashun and Li Haotong were China’s two representatives in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2041955/chinas-dou-zecheng-eyes-tokyo-2020-olympic-games-berth-after-rankings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2041955/chinas-dou-zecheng-eyes-tokyo-2020-olympic-games-berth-after-rankings?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Nov 2016 07:30:15 +0000 Jason Hak Shun-yat’s favoured milk tea won’t need any sugar on Sunday night should victory in this week’s historic Clearwater Bay Open mark a sweet first professional win for Hong Kong’s number one. Having departed the city for first Beijing and now Florida - specifically Orlando which is now his base - aged seven Hak only returns home once or twice a year with one of those stops usually for the Hong Kong Open where he made his name as a baby faced amateur in 2008. He still retains some of those... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2041908/hong-kong-number-one-jason-hak-seeks-home-comforts-pga-tour-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2041908/hong-kong-number-one-jason-hak-seeks-home-comforts-pga-tour-china?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Nov 2016 04:30:30 +0000 Jason Hak Shun-yat PGA Tour China Series Order of Merit: 14th (RMB207,029) World Ranking: 921 Best result this season: tied 2nd – NewTown KingRun Open Not just because he is Hong Kong’s number one, Jason Hak Shun-yat deserves his place on this list as one of the form players on the PGA Tour China Series circuit. The 22-year-old has posted three top 10 finishes in as many events, which included his best-ever finish as a professional at the NewTown KingRun Open last month as Hak claimed a tie for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2041877/five-watch-pga-tour-china-series-clearwater-bay-open-week-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2041877/five-watch-pga-tour-china-series-clearwater-bay-open-week-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Nov 2016 03:00:15 +0000 Teenage Hong Kong amateur Isaac Lam will literally and figuratively not be in short pants anymore later this week after earning a place in the field for the PGA Tour China Series Clearwater Bay Open in Monday’s mammoth play-off. The 17-year-old came through the eight-man showdown for the four remaining places at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club alongside 16-year-old fellow Hong Kong amateur Yue Yin-ho after the pair earlier carded rounds of two-over-par 72. But Lam will have to adjust his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2041669/hong-kong-amateur-isaac-lam-must-grow-quickly-after-landing-pga-tour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2041669/hong-kong-amateur-isaac-lam-must-grow-quickly-after-landing-pga-tour?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Oct 2016 11:37:16 +0000 Teenage Hong Kong amateurs Yue Hin-ho and Isaac Lam survived a gruelling eight-man play-off to eventually earn a place in the field for this week’s PGA Tour China Series Clearwater Bay Open. With 10 places on offer, the pair finished tied for seventh in Monday’s single round qualifier at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club after carding rounds of two-over-par. Yue ,16, and Lam, 17, then earned their places in the 120-man field with pars at the third play-off hole along with Chinese amateur Xing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2041644/hong-kong-teenage-amateurs-yue-hin-ho-and-isaac-lam-earn-clearwater?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2041644/hong-kong-teenage-amateurs-yue-hin-ho-and-isaac-lam-earn-clearwater?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Oct 2016 09:17:27 +0000 1 – Par 3 / 225 yards This downhill par-three has a hazard down the right that snakes around the back of the green and two bunkers guarding the left side of the green. Your ideal line of play is to aim at the middle mound at the back of the green. Jason says: Number one is a great par three down the hill and it is always windy and you would like to get off to a good start. 2 – Par 5 / 573 yards The ideal line here is the middle left of the fairway, which keeps you away from the three fairway... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2041536/get-know-clearwater-bay-golf-country-club-ahead-weeks-pga-tour-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2041536/get-know-clearwater-bay-golf-country-club-ahead-weeks-pga-tour-china?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Oct 2016 04:39:37 +0000 Players heading to Hong Kong for next week’s PGA Tour China Series Clearwater Bay Open might not want to look too closely at the weather forecast with windy conditions expected at a course with holes that “can bare their teeth” according American contender Charlie Saxon. Perched on cliffs surrounded by the South China Sea, Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club is a spectacular but potentially unforgiving 6,571 yard course that next week will be the first stop for the series outside of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2040937/pga-tour-china-series-clearwater-bay-open-contenders-ready-course?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2040937/pga-tour-china-series-clearwater-bay-open-contenders-ready-course?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Oct 2016 04:41:09 +0000 China’s golfing pioneer, Zhang Lianwei, will be a star attraction at next week’s Clearwater Bay Open after accepting a sponsor’s invitation. Zhang, 51, will be the most recognisable face in the field for the inaugural HK$1.4 million tournament from November 3-6, the first Ping An Bank China Tour-PGA Tour China Series event held outside mainland China. “I’m very interested to return to Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club as I’ve played there several times and it’s truly one of most spectacular... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2040200/china-golfing-pioneer-zhang-lianwei-compete-hong-kongs-clearwater?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2040200/china-golfing-pioneer-zhang-lianwei-compete-hong-kongs-clearwater?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Oct 2016 04:04:40 +0000 Veteran James Stewart and teenager Leon D’Souza have been handed invites for the Clearwater Bay Open to join Hong Kong number one Jason Hak Shun-yat in the 120-man field as the PGA Tour China Series makes its first stop outside of the mainland next month. Last year 41-year-old Stewart won the Hong Kong Professional Golfers’ Association (HKPGA) order of merit for the fourth time, while 18-year-old D’Souza won the Hong Kong Open Amateur title and both will be making their China Series debut at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2028688/hong-kongs-james-stewart-and-leon-dsouza-handed-pga-tour-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2028688/hong-kongs-james-stewart-and-leon-dsouza-handed-pga-tour-china?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Oct 2016 04:34:47 +0000 Order of merit leader Dou Zecheng has set his sights on ruining Jason Hak Shun-yat’s homecoming party at November’s inaugural Clearwater Bay Open as the Ping An Bank China Tour-PGA Tour China Series makes a historic first stop in Hong Kong. Dou won four of the first seven events on this year’s calender and comfortably tops the money list after becoming the first player to win Ұ1 million (HK$1.16m)in a single season on the circuit. Those results have lifted the 19-year-old up to 179th in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2022601/leader-pack-pga-tour-china-series-order-merit-leader-dou-zecheng-targets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2022601/leader-pack-pga-tour-china-series-order-merit-leader-dou-zecheng-targets?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Sep 2016 06:15:00 +0000 Jason Hak Shun-yat has consigned the dark days to history. “I’ve learned that I have to walk down my own path,” says the 22-year-old. “And I have started getting better and better since I realised that.” The past few months have seen Hak re-emerge into the light, thanks to string of solid performances on the PGA Tour China Series. There’s not been the breakthrough victory he has longed for but the 22-year-old is full of confidence once again after leading for the first three rounds of the Ping... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2022274/hong-kong-golfer-jason-hak-hopes-hes-consigned-dark-days-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2022274/hong-kong-golfer-jason-hak-hopes-hes-consigned-dark-days-history?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Sep 2016 08:00:00 +0000 The Communist Party is relaxing its crackdown on golf – cast out in 2015 after being considered a tool to tempt officials into corruption – and will encourage kids to take up the game, says the US PGA Tour’s leading official in China. Greg Carlson says the vibe is now positive and Feng Shanshan’s performance at the Rio Olympics, where she won a bronze medal, has helped put the sport back in a positive light. “There is a report – that hasn’t been made public yet – that speaks to golf in China and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2021314/mood-swing-us-pga-tour-boss-takes-encouragement-new-golf-vibe-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2021314/mood-swing-us-pga-tour-boss-takes-encouragement-new-golf-vibe-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Sep 2016 08:45:30 +0000 Former teen prodigy Jason Hak Shun-yat will be in action in front of his home fans after receiving an invite to take part in the Clearwater Bay Open in November, Hong Kong’s first PGA Tour China Series event. Hak, 22, became the youngest player to make the cut at a European Tour event at the Hong Kong Open in 2008, aged 14 years and 304 days. But after turning pro aged 19 in August 2013 he’s suffered a couple of frustrating seasons. He’s rediscovered his mojo on the China Series this year,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2020942/revitalised-hong-kong-golfer-jason-hak-compete-front-home-fans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2020942/revitalised-hong-kong-golfer-jason-hak-compete-front-home-fans?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Sep 2016 07:15:15 +0000 Jason Hak Shun-yat’s final round frailties again came to the fore on Sunday as the Hong Kong golfer failed to take advantage of seemingly advantageous scoring conditions to miss out on a maiden win at the PGA Tour China Series’ Pingan Bank Open. Hak held one shot advantages after the first three rounds at Topwin Golf and Country Club in Beijing, but failed to fire during his fourth round when it mattered and the 22-year-old struggled to a one-under-par 71 to slip four shots off the pace and down... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2020435/hacked-jason-hak-dodges-questions-after-final-round-failure-ruins?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2020435/hacked-jason-hak-dodges-questions-after-final-round-failure-ruins?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Sep 2016 12:15:30 +0000 Jason Hak Shun-yat’s wait for a first professional win continued on Sunday after a one-under-final round at the Pingan Bank Open was only good enough for a third consecutive top 10 finish on the PGA Tour China Series. The in-form 22-year-old held one shot leads after the first three rounds at Topwin Golf and Country Club, but Hak was unable to match final round playing partner Charlie Saxon as the American carded a bogey-free six-under-par 66 to secure a one shot victory over China’s Zhang... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2020406/hacked-back-jason-hak-again-falls-short-breakthrough-win-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2020406/hacked-back-jason-hak-again-falls-short-breakthrough-win-after?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Sep 2016 08:45:15 +0000