World City Championship: Ian Poulter aims to repeat 2010 Fanling success on return to Hong Kong

Former winner of Hong Kong Open looking to capitalise on his affinity with Fanling, with places at the Open Championship also on offer

He won’t be giving tips on the course to LIV Golf teammate Henrik Stenson, who has yet to play in Hong Kong – ‘I need to be a little selfish’

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Ian Poulter is relishing another crack at the Hong Kong Golf Club course. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:00pm, 14 Mar 2023

Ian Poulter has nothing but happy memories of Hong Kong, and those, plus the chance to qualify for the last major of the year, made it easy to decide to play in next week’s World City Championship.

The 2010 Hong Kong Open winner leads a strong field that also includes LIV Golf teammate Henrik Stenson, as the Asian Tour returns to the city for the first time in three years.

With four places at the Open Championship in July also up for grabs, there is far more at stake than just the US$1 million in prize money.

As the 2016 Open winner, Stenson does not need one of the spots available, but for Poulter it represents what could be his best chance of being at Royal Liverpool this summer.

Ian Poulter (left) and Henrik Stenson will headline the World City Championship this month. Photo: LIV Golf

“It’s a huge thing for the region to have,” Poulter said. “I definitely need one of those [places]. That was a secondary thing on my list as a box-ticker. It’s a golf course I know and hopefully we can go and qualify for the Open Championship at the same time.”