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Sam Agars

The 2018 season has not been the kindest to Rafa Cabrera Bello but a surfing holiday in Bali has ‘recharged’ the Spaniard as he looks to take care of unfinished business at the Honma Hong Kong Open.
His second consecutive runner-up finish in Hong Kong is the closest Cabrera Bello has been to a win this season and he missed selection for Europe’s Ryder Cup domination after playing in 2016.
But the much-loved Spaniard is not one for doom and gloom and he is looking forward to returning to the familiar surrounds of the Hong Kong Golf Club in two weeks.
“Surfing is one of my passions, it helps me to forget a little bit about golf,” he said. “I’ve recharged my batteries and I fancy my chances in Hong Kong.

“I feel strong. I’ve been very close the last couple of years and I will draw on those good results and good memories. Everyone knows that a runner-up finish, although tough at the time, is a very good result.”
Agony again as Rafa Cabrera Bello misses the prize for second straight year
After peaking at a world ranking of 16 last July on the back of his last tournament win – which came in the Scottish Open – Cabrera Bello’s form wavered and he slid to number 30 in the world in September.
But a third in the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges on South Korea’s Jeju Island and 14th in the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai last month see him on the rise again.

“I feel my game is in good shape. I truly believe there are more Ryder Cups in my career, next time I will try to make the team on my own,” he said after relying on a captain’s pick which never came this year.
Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed predicts ‘fireworks’ when he and Team Europe big guns return to the Hong Kong Open
Cabrera Bello will play in the climax to the European Tour’s Race to Dubai – the DP World Tour Championship – in Dubai next week before turning his attention to the season-opener in Hong Kong.
And rather than being bitter about his two near misses, he is hungry to atone at a place that suits his game.

“I don’t feel like Hong Kong owes me anything,” he said. “Of course I want to win and it’s one of the reasons I go back, but I don’t feel I’m owed anything.
‘The entire crowd loves Spaniards’ at the Hong Kong Open but it counts for little now, says Rafa Cabrera Bello
“My two runner-up finishes have left me very keen to get my name on the trophy and there are a lot of positives.
“Every time I tee up in Hong Kong I know that I have probably birdied that hole before and that will help me perform.

“I think it’s a course that really suits me. I am a more of a strategy player and I have played there many years. I am normally very accurate off the tee and I think that is crucial in Hong Kong.”
Miguel Angel Jimenez eyes off a cigar and a bottle of wine on the ‘best terrace in the world’ after shooting 63 at Hong Kong Open
Cabrera Bello will have to outpoint star players Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood, Matthew Fitzpatrick and countryman Sergio Garcia and is eager to see the trophy back in Spanish hands.
“It’s a course that has been so special for Spanish golfers, especially [four-time winner] Miguel [Angel Jimenez] who has been so successful and [Jose Maria] Olazabal has won there,” he said. “It would be an honour to add my name to that trophy.”


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

Ryder Cup regret and Hong Kong Open runner-ups washed away in Bali surf for ‘recharged’ Rafa Cabrera Bello

Rafa Cabrera Bello is keen for another strong showing in Hong Kong. Photo: AP

Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain during the final round of the UBS Hong Kong Open on 26 November 2017 at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong. Mandatory credit: Richard Castka/Sportpixgolf.com

Patrick Reed of the US gestures after sinking a putt on the 9th hole during a fourball match on the second day of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, outside Paris, France, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

HONG KONG, 22 November : Tommy Fleetwood of England and Raffa Cabrera Bello of Spain pictured during the launching of The Road To Dubai ahead of UBS Hong Kong Open 2017 at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Hong Kong on 22 November 2017. Photo by Arep Kulal / Getty Images

Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain 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

Sport

Golf

Hong Kong

The Spaniard says it would be an ‘honour to add my name to the trophy’ after two years as the bridesmaid


Ryder Cup regret and Hong Kong Open runner-ups washed away in Bali surf for ‘recharged’ Rafa Cabrera Bello

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}The Spaniard says it would be an ‘honour to add my name to the trophy’ after two years as the bridesmaid

The Spaniard says it would be an ‘honour to add my name to the trophy’ after two years as the bridesmaid